William F. Kurtz

William Fred "Red" Kurtz was born at 8:25 am April 14, 1928. He was the son of Carl August Kurtz and Weltha Marie Bush in Dayton Ohio. His early years were hard on him as he was taken in as an orphan. He grew up fast and joined the Navy Reserve on Sept 12, 1945. His short time in the Navy prepared him for future assignments. He served on LCI 188. He was discharged from the Navy on October 16, 1946. On April 15th 1947 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was transferred to the Air Force reporting to Lackland AFB Texas. He served at Castle Field in California; Eglin Field, Florida; Eniwetok, Marshall Islands; Kirtland AFB, New Mexico in 1952. He was assigned to Lowry Field, Denver Colorado for Fire School training. He was transferred to Hanscom Field, Mass. He did a tour of duty in Japan and then Kimpo Korea. In 1955 he went to Westover AFB, Mass where he attended the NCO Preparatory school for instruction and was awarded the school's highest honor and stayed on as instructor. In 1961 he was transferred to Fort Churchill, Manitoba Canada. Upon transfer he requested Pease AFB, New Hampshire and retired in June 1966. He then worked for Pratt and Whitney in Conn. for a time then returning to New Hampshire where he worked for the Portsmouth Navy Ship Yard. He worked on and off the Subs when he was needed. He worked on so many boats. Sand blasting, painting, Heavy Labor and such. He traveled to Scotland and Connecticut for the Navy Yard. This wore on him and he retired in March of 1990 with 43 years of government service.

    William was involved with so many organizations. Member of St. Aspinquid Lodge, Past Master in 2004. A past High Priest of the Royal Arch Masons in Kittery Maine. Member of the Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Patron and various positions including Chaplin for many years. Member of the retired Enlisted Man Club. American Legion, VFW, York Militia, Active with the Boy Scouts, Little league, Long time worker at the Food Pantry, BVA, Shriners, Member of the Senior Center in York Beach, Deacon at the York Beach Union Congregational Church to name a few. His greatest love was music. and had a collection of the most memorable singers and band leaders. He loved Big Bands and Marching Bands. He was a True Blue Buckeye.    

He is preceded by his wife of 50 yrs, Ruth Anne Shepard of Franklin, NH. He leaves behind two sons Stephen M. Kurtz Sr. of Rochester NH., David Luke Kurtz of Blacklick OH, Grandson Stephen M. Kurtz Jr. of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and granddaughter Rosamond N. Kurtz Cornell of New Braunfels, Texas. Great-granddaughter Bailey R. Kurtz and many Nieces and Nephews.  He gave more than he received. God Bless his Soul. 

Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 pm on Monday, February 5th in the Lucas & Eaton Funeral Home, 91 Long Sands Rd., York, Maine. A funeral service will take place at 1pm on Tuesday, February 6th in the Union Congregational Church, Church St., York Beach, Maine. Burial will be in the Maine Veterans Cemetery, Augusta, ME. Visit www.lucaseatonfuneralhome.com

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