Charles William “Bill” Kautz passed away peacefully on April 25, 2026, to his Heavenly home while at his house in Lebanon, PA, with family.
Born on July 27, 1939, in Baltimore, MD, Bill was the son of John Richard Kautz and Mildred (Eicker) Kautz. Bill was a hard-working, proud U.S. Navy veteran, loved by family and friends.
In his youth, Bill spent many memorable moments staying out of (and getting into) trouble in Middle River, MD, with his two brothers. After his graduation from Kenwood High School, Bill served in the Navy for four years, serving on the USS Kretchmer, which he proudly spoke of throughout his life, especially the many times spent in heavy seas in the North Atlantic, for which he had a prized drawing hung on the wall of his house. Soon after serving in the Navy, Bill picked up the HVAC trade and spent the remainder of his working life as an HVAC technician, doing commercial work in and around Baltimore, as well as residential work for friends and neighbors.
His friends affectionately called him “Wild Bill,” a name he was given when he walked into Pebbles Pub many years ago with his beard and head covered in snow. The name stuck and fit well with his outgoing personality and wild hair, which he seldom let get above his shoulders and regularly wore in a ponytail as an “old hippie” (as Bill would often say).
In his later years, Bill always made sure to spend lots of time with his grandchildren as they grew up and was faithful to keep in touch with family and friends, attending untold numbers of birthday celebrations, sending out dozens of cards every year for various occasions, giving out beautiful poinsettias at Christmas, and periodically placing bulk orders of Koco’s famous crab cakes for his friends in Pennsylvania.
Bill was always up for a good laugh and enjoyed many different activities including sailing his boat on the Patapsco/Chesapeake with friends and family, running his HO trains on a large custom layout he built, fixing up classic cars and attending Lost in the 50s car cruises (where his ‘64 Pontiac Catalina won numerous trophies), doing various home carpentry/remodeling projects, restoring antique furniture, and keeping his old clocks wound up!
Bill was known for his generosity toward others and regularly gave to various charities, including those that help veterans, the homeless, first responders, at-risk youth, and other people in need.
Bill was also an avid animal and nature lover, never going long without a dog, a cat, or both at home. He also took trips to National Parks out west with family and enjoyed keeping the backyard squirrels and birds well-fed and documenting all the various species that would come throughout the year.
Bill was also fond of frequenting whatever happened to be the closest local neighborhood pub (the last one being Franz’s), as well as trivia, crossword puzzles, Baltimore football and baseball, reality and nature TV shows, U.S./world/family history, nostalgic Looney Tunes cartoons, and taking his grandkids to Hammond’s Pretzel Factory in Lititz.
Bill grew up in an era when identifying with a Christian denomination was the norm, and in his public high school, they even had Christian prayer and read the Bible. Although Bill rarely attended any church gathering as an adult, if asked, he would identify as a Protestant. But as the Bible makes clear, Jesus did not come to start a new religion, but to bring us into right relationship with God, and it was not until just before he passed that Bill acknowledged this reality and surrendered his life to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, asking the Lord to forgive him and come into his life, acknowledging that Jesus died for his sins, rose from the dead, and is the only way to be reconciled and receive everlasting life with him in Heaven!
Wild Bill will be missed by all, but thanks to the hope found in Jesus Christ, his earthly life was just the beginning of a life without end, full of peace, love, and joy unspeakable! As it is written, ‘Behold, God’s dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore. The first things have passed away… Behold, I am making all things new…'” (Revelation 21:3-5a)
Bill was predeceased by his wife, Mary “Dede” (McComas) Kautz; daughter, Sarah Baron; and son, Thomas Kautz.
Bill is survived by his son, Adam (Kenesha) Kautz; son-in-law, William Baron, husband of the late Sarah Baron; brothers, David Kautz and John Kautz; grandchildren, Emily, Dale, Keith, and Priscilla; and a niece, nephews, and extended family members.
Bill requested not to have a funeral service, but because his passing occurred one day prior to the funeral of his daughter, Sarah, a eulogy for him was incorporated within Sarah‘s eulogy.
If desired, donations can be made in Bill’s name to the Salvation Army (salvationarmyusa.org) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).
Thompson Funeral Home Inc. is entrusted with the arrangements. The family welcomes your memories and messages in Thompson Funeral Home’s online guest book at thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com.
