OBITUARY: William Russell Ahrlett Jr., 85, of Kingsland dies Jan. 26, 2014
William Russell Ahrlett Jr. of Kingsland died peacefully Jan. 26, 2014. He was born to William Russell and Susie (Merkel) Ahrlett on June 21, 1928, in Llano, Texas.
Bill proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and retired after 20 years of service. He served in both Japan and Germany and held numerous awards for marksmanship.
Following his discharge, he was a supervisor at Rockwell International in Atchison, Kan. He lived in Atchison, St. Joseph, Mo., and Rotan, Texas, before returning to the Llano area (Kingsland) in 2003.
Bill was a member of the National Rifle Association and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, tinkering with mechanical things and watching the two- and four-legged critters from his back porch.
Bill was a good, calm, easy-going man filled with insights and humor that brought joy and laughter to family and friends. We will all miss his big smile!
Bill is survived by his wife of 34 years, Elaine McElhany Ahrlett of Kingsland; children, Joseph Brian Hess and wife Donna of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Jennifer Diane Hess of Kirkland, Wash., Laura Eileen Merleau-McGrady and husband Larry of Waterloo, Ill., Ellen Louise Pratt and husband Robert of Hopedale, Ill., Phillip Andrew Hess and wife Gayle of Bloomington, Ill., and, from a prior marriage, Kris Danial of Dallas; five grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters.
Visitation is 9-11 a.m. Jan. 31 at Putnam Funeral Home, 145 Texas Ave. in Kingsland, (325) 388-0008. A military graveside service is 3 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Central Texas Veterans Cemetery, 11463 Texas 195 in Killeen.
Go to www.putnamcares.com to sign an online guest register.