Obituary for William “Bill” Kem

Bill Roy Kem

October 9, 1946 – August 21, 2021

William Roy Kem was born in Seattle, WA October 9, 1946. A self-proclaimed military brat, he moved around a lot and even spent 4 years in Japan. His father, Shelton Kem, was an officer in WW II and Vietnam, and his older brother, Bob Kem, helped raise younger brother “Willy”. Thanks to this, Bill learned much from his big brother and always admired him. Bill graduated in 1965 from Randolph Air Force Base High School in San Antonio, Tx, where he played football, baseball, basketball, track, played in the band, sang in the choir and madrigals as President, and was in French Club, Science Club, and Letterman’s Club, as well as playing the lead in the school musical “Down In The Valley”. He went on to University at Oklahoma State where he was a was a rated Marksman in the ROTC program, played basketball on scholarship for Henry Iba, and studied Physical Education.

He met Suzanne Inciardi while she was dancing on campus, but lost contact with her for two years. Thanks to a chance meeting, they were reacquainted and started dating immediately. He gave up a spot in the Army’s Officer Candidacy School so he could get his Masters of Science and date Suzanne. They married only 6 months later on March 7th, 1970 in a small chapel in Oklahoma City, a marriage that lasted 51 years.

Bill wanted to learn how to coach gymnastics, something Suzanne thought he might have a knack for, and they attended the national competition for the United States Gymnastics Federation Junior Olympics. He introduced himself to the coach representing Oklahoma, which lead to him learning to coach gymnastics with the Olympic team that summer and developing a life long friendship with Olympic Silver Medalist, Rusty Mitchell. This started a long coaching career, where he had a nationally recognized competitive program, was a member of the USA Gymnastics Federation as an instructor, and certified by their safety program as well as being a certified gymnastic coach. He was accepted into the prestigious Heart of America Gymnastic Conference, which included the highest-ranked coaches in the Midwest region and was twice voted Coach of the Year, was president of the US Gymnastics Federation for Oklahoma and Age Group Chairman for a number of years, and was published in the National Who’s Who for gymnastics coaches. He and his wife ran their Dance and Gymnastics school in Ponca City for over 50 years.

Accomplishments aside, Bill was a humble, upstanding man of character and was quite involved in the community as a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Lion’s Club, brought gymnastics into schools as part of the Arts Outreach Program, and regularly participated in fund raising efforts for many organizations all over Ponca City. He worked back stage and on stage for numerous theatrical productions, mostly side by side with his wife, son and daughter. He was a devoted husband and father, constantly giving his time, love and devotion, traveling all over the state for his kids to perform, and then all over the country to support them as they gained professional careers. He was a member of the Pioneer Bible Church and Providence Baptist Church, consistently studying the Bible and being a wonderful example of Christ.

“Mr Kem”. Very few people just called him “Bill”. He was a father to all. Every student he touched continued to feel the innocence of a child when they were with him, so he was forever, respectfully, “Mr Kem”. From teaching P.E. at Roosevelt Elementary in the 1970s, to substitute teaching all over Ponca City, to most recently teaching P.E. at St Mary’s Catholic School for 25 years, where he was voted unanimously by the students to speak at graduation multiple times, and, of course, coaching gymnastics at his gym – Mr. Kem molded the lives and athletics for multiple generations. He also was a stock broker for Stifel, Nicolaus & Co for ten years in the 1980s, helping many in Ponca City with their investments. He couldn’t go around town without seeing someone he knew, always waving hello and offering a hug. His family had to share him with so many people, but they never felt they were sharing him. He had plenty of love to go around. He lived such a compassionate life. He poured himself out to others, making them feel special, and giving them the motivation to learn and grow, something they could carry with them the rest of their lives. He generously gave his time, his patience, his home, his money, his smile, and his huge hugs. He asked for nothing in return but always accepted homemade chocolate chip cookies and rhubarb pie. Every day of his life was meaningful; this may not have been on purpose, it just was who he was – he put others first and cared about details, and thus, someone benefited from him every day. It seems the entire town of Ponca City, and beyond, is feeling his void. May we use his memory as motivation to step up in his absence and be a “Mr Kem” to those in our lives.

For more testimonies, please visit the Facebook Group: Bill Kem Tribute Page.

Bill is proceeded in death by his father, Shelton Kem, and mother, Ann, his father-in-law Nilo Francis Inciardi and mother-in-law Marj Inciardi. He leaves behind his wife Suzanne Kem of Ponca City, OK, son, Kevin Kem of Atlanta, GA, daughter and son-in-law Cara and Rick Cassens of Ponca City, OK and their children Scarlette and Clint (his mini-me), his brother Bob and sister-in-law Anne of Spokane, WA, siblings-in-law Marc and Pam Inciardi of Kansas City, KS, Annette and Robert Gomez of Canyon Lake, TX, and Gina and Larry Ressler of Arcadia, OK, nephews Mike and Matt Kem and Larry and Logan Ressler, and nieces Ashley Huppe, Erin Angotti and Gillian Aquino, as well as numerous cousins that all loved him dearly, including his “twin” cousin Jill who was born one day after him. Bill and Suzanne also had two unofficial “adopted” children, Cindy Watson, of Ponca City, and Eric Chambray of Las Vegas, NV. Family was extremely important to him, and he was known for long good-byes and big hugs. He will be so missed.

Viewing at Trout Funeral Home will be open to the public Thursday, August 26, 2021 from 10am-8pm. Services will be held 2pm Friday, August 27, 2021 at the Poncan Theater. The family welcomes anyone who wants to celebrate his life to join them in person. The celebration will also be broadcast on Facebook Live.

Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home