William Hankla Westerfield

1954 – 2021

William Hankla Westerfield, 66, passed away on January 23, 2021, at his home in Yelm, WA after a valiant struggle with disabilities resulting from life-threatening injuries incurred in a 2015 motorcycle accident. Bill was born in Lexington, KY May 3, 1954 to the late Jimmie Martin Westerfield and William S. Westerfield, Jr. Bill received his high school diploma and seaman’s qualification when he completed training at The Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship in Piney Point, MD. As a Merchant Seaman, Bill enjoyed an educational and adventurous career at sea for nearly 5 years when health problems rendered him landbound. Bill became an IT professional and worked 10 years at University of Kentucky Health Center. He retired in 2015 and relocated to the Pacific Northwest where he became an accomplished photographer.

In addition to his parents, Bill was predeceased by brothers, James S. Westerfield and Brent Martin Westerfield, and his nephew, Richard Maxwell Stepp. Bill leaves to mourn him a son, William Martin Westerfield, grandson William Patrick Westerfield, and granddaughter Madeline Mae Westerfield; and a daughter, Kristie Nicole Westerfield and grandson, Logan Lyle Westerfield; as well as siblings Sherron Westerfield and Logan Westerfield.

Bill was a 7th generation Kentuckian whose Westerfield ancestors were among the builders of the Old Mud Meeting House in Harrodsburg. Private burial will be in the family plot in Lexington, KY.