William "Bill" Thomas Kepple, Sr.

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the unexpected passing of William “Bill” Thomas Kepple, Sr., 80, on March 16, 2026. The esteemed patriarch of the Kepple family, Bill was an avid golfer, world traveler, prosperous businessman, devoted Steelers fan, card shark, bookworm, doting father, and adored Poppy.

Bill was born in Greensburg, PA, on March 1, 1946, to Richard “Dick” Kepple, Sr. and Dorothy “Dot” Millberg Kepple. He was the third of four children and gained distinction in the family as an athlete. He loved all sports and played them well, even picking up golf at a young age at his father’s Cloverleaf Golf Course. He graduated from Greensburg Salem High School in 1964, where he lettered in multiple sports. He attended Allegheny College, where he played basketball, as well as Robert Morris University and Duquesne University.

In 1969, he began working for Export Tire in Pennsylvania, his father’s wholesale and retail tire business, which included Delta Tires, a brand created by his father and several associates in 1959. Bill was a salesman for the Delta brand in northern West Virginia and eventually the entire state. In 1970, he married Anne Carroll, and they moved to Charleston, WV, in 1971. In the late 1970s, he acquired a local tire store, Marty’s Tire, which expanded to include a Nitro, WV, location in 1981. Delta Tire merged with National Tire in 1989, forming Del-Nat Tire Corp. and giving Delta Tire a national footprint. While operating Marty’s Tire in Charleston, Bill continued his role with Export Tire and became a board member of Del-Nat Corp. His peers elected him Chairman of the Board, a position he served with pride. This role afforded him opportunities to travel both domestically and abroad, including China, Japan, and parts of Europe. His son Billy acquired Marty’s Tire in 2010, and his grandson Tyler now works in the Charleston shop, representing four generations of Kepples in the tire industry.

Bill and Anne were long time members of Berry Hills Country Club, where they formed many lasting relationships and Bill nurtured a lifelong love of golf and cards. In 2003 and 2005, Bill welcomed the first two of his five grandchildren, embracing the role of Poppy. In 2010, Bill and Anne retired to North Myrtle Beach, SC, where their daughter, Courtney, was an established Realtor. Living in Barefoot Resort, Bill continued working on his golf game and developed a passion for playing dominoes; both activities helped him build and deepen lasting friendships. There, he welcomed his next three grandchildren. He was a dedicated Poppy, attending as many of the children’s games, events, plays, and award ceremonies as possible, and traveling to West Virginia to celebrate birthdays and holidays. Of all the roles and activities Bill enjoyed, nothing brought him more joy than being Poppy.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his older brother, Richard Kepple, Jr., and Richard’s wife, Paula; and his brother-in-law, Larry Whipkey. He is survived by his sister, Mardi Kepple Whipkey; his younger brother, Todd Kepple, and wife Kathy; his former spouse, Anne Carroll Kepple; his son, William (Billy) T. Kepple Jr., and wife Stacy Hager Kepple; his daughter, Courtney Kepple Bergman, and her husband, Eric Bergman; and five grandchildren: Tyler Kepple (22), Max Kepple (20), Stella Bergman (13), Saylor Bergman (11), and Beau Bergman (9). He is also survived by his special friend, Tina Grubb, along with many other cherished family members and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 25, at 2:00 p.m. at McMillan-Small Funeral Home in Myrtle Beach, SC. A Celebration of Life will be held in West Virginia at a later date.

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