Obituary of William James Kerst

Mr. William “Billy” James Kerst, age 44 a resident of Lakeland passed away Thursday, February 27, 2020. Mr. Kerst was born November 21, 1975 in Wauchula, FL. to William Bertloet and Barbara Ann (Pierce) Kerst. Billy was a lifetime Polk County resident and a United States Navy Veteran serving during the Iraq War. He was a Transportation Dispatcher for C & S Wholesales in Plant City which is a distributor for Winn Dixie and other grocery food chains. He graduated from Ft. Meade High School class of 1993. Billy enjoyed football (Miami Hurricanes & Miami Dolphins), hunting, fishing, video games, going to Disney with his family and spending time with family & friends. He was preceded in death by his mother; son – Hunter James Kerst in 2015; brother – William “Wesley” Kerst; maternal grandmother – Martha and paternal grandparents. Billy is survived by his loving & devoted family; wife of 9 years – Darlene Kerst of Lakeland; daughter – Courtney Kerst of Burhamsville, VA.;  son – Zachary Kerst of Lakeland; parents – William & Nancy Kerst of Frostproof; maternal grandfather – James (Nancy) Pierce of Ft. Meade; Aunts – Sandy (Ronnie) Schiver, Martha (Lennie) Harris, Elizabeth Spoon & Stacy Reed all of Ft. Meade; father-in-law – Randy (Sandra) Schneider of Polk City; mother-in-law – Joan Brookover of Lakeland; cousins – Annette, Brandy, Austin, Morganne and many other extended family. Funeral service will be held 6:00 pm Saturday, March 7th at Legacy Community Church, 201 Dickey Rd., Auburndale with visitation & meal reception beginning 3:00 pm at the church. A private inurnment will be held at a later date.