William K. Kerfoot

William Kenneth (Ken) Kerfoot, born on the 11th of May 1920, passed away on Saturday May 21, 2016 in Dallas, TX. Graveside services will be held at 11:00a.m. on Thursday May 26, 2016 in Elmwood Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 Hwy 277 South, Abilene, TX. Ken was born near Wiley, CO, the second of three sons born to William Ernest and Flora Ethel (Goff) Kerfoot. He graduated Valedictorian from Eads, Colorado High School, class of 1938. He attended Northern Colorado University on an academic and football scholarship. Ken joined the Colorado National Guard October 3, 1938. On September 20, 1940 he was mobilized with Company B. 157th infantry, 45th infantry division with the rank of Sergeant. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant in 1941. While at Camp Barkley, Texas, Ken married Josephine Craig Bentley (Joka). In WWII, he participated in the invasion of Sicily and the Salerno and Anzio invasions in Italy. He was commanding Company H, 157th infantry when captured by the Germans on Feb. 23, 1944 during the battle of the caves near Anzio. He was a prisoner of war until being liberated by the Russian Army after 15 months of captivity. He was returned to the U.S. custody on May 6, 1945. Ken returned to the USA on June 3, 1945 and was released from active duty on Dec. 16, 1945. He remained in the Army Reserve as a Lt. Col. until he retired in 1963. Ken and Joka were blessed with a daughter, Carol Craig Kerfoot; and a son, Larry Bentley Kerfoot who died in 1986 at the age of 38. Ken is survived by Carol Kerfoot Hall and her husband, Richard Hedlund Hall of Cincinnati, Ohio. Carol and Richard have two sons, Christian Bentley Hall and wife, Rebecca of Canton, GA and Craig Hedlund Hall and wife, Megan of Roswell, GA. Larry Bentley Kerfoot had a son, Bentley Nakles Kerfoot and wife, Samantha of Dallas, TX. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren. Ken was employed by Crown Central Petroleum in Abilene, TX in 1945. He served 38 years in various capacities in exploration for oil and gas in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Lagos, Nigeria. He retired in 1983 and consulted in exploration in the search for petroleum reserves. He was an active member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists for over 60 years. In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in honor of Ken Kerfoot may be directed to The American Heart Association. You may view and sign the guestbook at www.elliott-hamil.com