Obituary

William Houston Berkley, 74, of Charleston, WV, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, surrounded by his loving family, at Hubbard Hospice House, after a long illness. He was affectionately known as “Billy Boy.”

He was preceded in death by his father, William Berkley, Jr.; his mother, Annor (Wiggins) Berkley, and his brother, Terry Berkley.

Billy is survived by his loving wife, Yolanda (Harris) Berkley; his brother, Marcus (Lorraine) Berkley, and his sister, Zelda Berkley of Charlotte, NC, and his children, William (Linda) Berkley Jr. of Charleston, Michael Mott of Detroit, MI, Maurice Berkley of Charleston, Joseph Berkley of Bluefield, WV, and Deborah (Devon) Faucett of Sanford, FL. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren, along with nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Billy Boy was a graduate of Charleston High School where he played tennis and quartered back on the football team. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. After his honorable discharge from the U.S. military, he attended West Virginia State College in Institute, West Virginia, where he majored in Business Administration. He watched sports of all kinds like golf, tennis, basketball, baseball, and most of all football. As everyone knew, he was a Pittsburgh Steelers fan regardless of how well they played during the season.

As a teenager, he played baseball for the “Sunbeams Bread,” company where he was coached was by his father, William Berkley Jr. He carried on that tradition as an adult during the early ’80s where he coached his sons’ little league baseball team called the “Raleigh Junk” in Kanawha City.

After returning from war and attending college he became assistant manager of a local market, worked for the City of Charleston, and eventually became a professional truck driver. He drove as an over-the-road driver before becoming a regional driver for Praxair Incorporated out of Marmet, West Virginia, where he later retired.

Billy Boy never met a stranger. He had a contagious laugh that would start before he could even tell a joke or share one of his comedic stories that he shared down through the years. He loved listening to the Motown classics while entertaining and hosting his family and friends. He was also known for his delicious pound cake that he would whip up anytime someone asked.

Billy Boy was one of a kind and will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him.

A celebration of life service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Friday, March 29, 2024, at Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, 1118 Virginia Street East, Charleston, WV, with burial following at Grandview Memorial Park, Dunbar, WV. Repass dinner will be served at 3:00 p.m. at Kanawha City Community Center, 3511 Venable Avenue, Charleston, WV.

Visitation will begin one hour prior at the funeral home.

You may send condolences to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.