Billy Kershaw

PORTAGEVILLE - Sgt. Orlando Jerome "Billy" Kershaw Sr., 39, died Oct. 12, 2002, in Marston.

Born March 14, 1963, in Portageville, son of S.T. Meeks of Grenada, Miss., and the late Eugene Kershaw Jr., he was a member of the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Portageville. He participated in football and track during all four years of his high school career at Portageville High School, graduating in 1982. He then served with the U.S. Navy for four years and was a member of the U.S. Army National Guard, retiring in October 2002 after 21 years of service.

On June 30, 1985, in Portageville, he married Aretha Jane Patton who survives of the home.

Survivors in addition to his wife and mother include: two sons, Orlando Jerome "O.J." Kershaw of Lilbourn and Orlando Jerome "B.J." Kershaw Jr. of the home; one daughter, Sharina Victoria Kershaw of the home; seven brothers and four sisters-in-law, Julius and Mary Kershaw of Alamogordo, N.M., Mark and Esther Kershaw, Zachary Kershaw and Henry Kershaw of Kansas City and Raymond and Faye Kershaw, Eugene and Mary Kershaw III and Edward Banks of Portageville; three sisters, Jeannie Williams and Roberta Kershaw of Long Beach, Calif., and Rose Carlyon Kershaw of Kansas City; one grandchild, Stormi Kershaw of the home; his mother-in-law, Lillie Patton of Portageville; two sisters-in-law, Candy Patton of Kansas City and JoAnn Wilson of New Madrid; three brothers-in-law, Gary Wilson of Kansas City, Johnny and Cheral Wilson of Chicago, Ill., and Michael Wilson of Portageville; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by his father-in-law, James Patton; and a nephew, Marchello Johnson.

Visitation is from 11 a.m. Saturday until service time at 1 p.m. at the Word of Victory Church where the Rev. Reginal Grant will officiate.

His brothers will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Members of the U.S. National Guard will serve as active pallbearers and will conduct full military graveside honors at the Lily of the Valley Cemetery near Point Pleasant.

DeLisle Funeral Home of Portageville is in charge of arrangements.

Paid obituary