William K. Ernst
August 5, 1989

William K. “Bill” Ernst, 42, of Leland, North Carolina and formerly of Battle Creek, MI died Saturday, August 5, 1989 in the New Hanover Memorial Hospital, Wilmington, N.C. after being stabbed while attempting to break up a fight.

He was born in Greensboro, N.C. and came to Battle Creek with his family from Malden, Missouri in 1959. Bill was a 1965 graduate of Lakeview High School where he played football and tennis, was in Orchestra for 4 years, and the Concert Band for three years. While in high school Bill played in the Post Band summer concerts and was a member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church and the young people’s church group named the Walther League.

After high school graduation, he joined the U. S. Marines and served in the Vietnam War as a lance corporal in the First Marine Division, 10th Headquarters Division Band. After being discharged, Bill settled in North Carolina where he worked with construction companies as a heavy equipment operator and as an independent truck driver. He was last employed with Landmark Construction Company of Wilmington, N.C.

Bill played the tuba with the Marines. He also performed with several country rock bands in North Carolina, including the Cape Fear River Band. He most recently played bass and was lead singer of the band called Southern Pride. In addition, he served as organist at a Baptist Church in Carolina Beach, N.C.

Survivors include his wife, the former Ann E. Williamson of Lighthouse Point, Florida; a son: John Frederick Ernst of Lighthouse Point; a daughter: Erica Ann Ernst of Lighthouse Point; his parents: William S. and Margaret E. Ernst of 66 Wiltshire Avenue; three brothers: Ronald A. Ernst of 66 Wiltshire Avenue; Karl F. Ernst of Siler City, N.C., and Robert K. Ernst of 494 Upton Avenue; and two sisters: Katherine E. Dunham of 81 Brown Drive and Karen L. Heath of St. Joseph, MI.

The family will be present at the funeral home Thursday from 2-4:00 P.M. and 6-8:00 P.M. The funeral service will be in the chapel of Bachman Hebble Funeral Service, 223 North Bedford Road at 10:30 A.M. Friday, August 11, 1989 with Pastor Thomas L. Heil of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church officiating. Military committal honors provided by the United States Marine Corps will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery.  Memorial tributes may be made to the Lakeview High School Band Boosters or the Conrad A. Rook Ministerial Student Scholarship Fund.

Thanks to Fred Bachman for memorial contributions.