William L. Sterett

William L. Sterett, Jr., 57, of 4451 Old Hartford Road, Owensboro, died Saturday, June 26, 2004 at Owensboro Medical Health System. A native of Cannelton, Indiana, he was a family man, a businessman, a sportsman, and a lover of life. He was a graduate of Owensboro High School, attended Western Kentucky University, and served with the United States Army in Vietnam. He was president of Sterett Construction and was actively involved with the Specialized Carriers and Riggers Association, a worldwide organization that he was to serve as president in 2005. His love of competition began with his winning the local SoapBox Derby championship and participation in the national race at Akron, Ohio in 1958. He later raced go-karts with his family then moved to hydroplane racing. Racing unlimited hydroplanes he set two course records in 1971 and won the Presidents Cup in Washington, DC, in 1972, the trophy presented by then president Richard M. Nixon. A private pilot with a twin-engine rating, his interests also included motorcycling, boating, and scuba diving. Mr. Sterett personally built the replica of The Miss Crazy Thing, a boat in which his father competed, for the SpeedZeum at the Owensboro Museum of Science and History. A man who truly loved being with his family, he is described as the eternal optimist.
He was preceded in death by his father, William L. Sterett, Sr. in 1992, his mother, Arlene Park Sterett, in 2000, and his brother, Terry Alan Sterett, in 2002.
He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Janet Yeiser Sterett, his children, William L. Sterett, III and Kimberly Sterett Kingsley of Owensboro and Kristi Leigh Sterett of Chicago, his daughter-in-law and son-in-law, Steven Douglas Kingsley and Katherine Elizabeth Sterett, both of Owensboro, his grandson Clayton Douglas Kingsley, and the expected baby Sterett of William III and Katie. He is also survived by his sister, Nancy Sterett Martin, and several nephews.
Services are at 10 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday at Glenn Funeral Home and from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to The Foundation of Owensboro-Daviess County for the William L. Sterett Memorial Fund, 335 Frederica Street, Owensboro, KY 42301, for the benefit of charitable organizations supported by Mr. Sterett and his family.
Online messages of condolence may be placed at www.glennfuneralhome.com.