William Cundiff Kouns

Asheville - William Cundiff Kouns, 81, of Westridge Drive, died peacefully Friday, October 26th, 2001. William ''Bill'' (a fraternal twin) was born September 8th, 1920 in Huntington, West Virginia to the late Andrew Lawson Kouns and the late Marjorie Cundiff Kouns. Bill was a graduate of Georgia Tech in Mechanical Engineering and received his Masters and Director degrees in Parks and Recreation from Indiana University.

He served as Lieutenant j.g. in the U.S. Navy 1945-46 in the Atlantic and Pacific theatres aboard the LST 122; partook in the Okinawa campaign as a naval engineering officer and was on one of two ships attacked by kamikaze pilots. He was also a member of VFW.

In his youth, Bill was very active in Boy Scouts achieving the rank of Eagle and attended both the 1937 World Jamboree in Holland with twin brother Jack as well as the National Jamboree in Washington D.C. He had fond interests in coin collecting, photography, gemstones, birding, and astronomy which led to his career in the parks and recreation field.

For 37 years his home was in Melrose Park, IL where he served as Director and Superintendent of Parks and Recreation for Cicero, South Stickney, Franklin Park, and Maywood, before he and his wife retired to Asheville where he became a very active member of The Cathedral of All Souls Episcopal Church. His contribution to All Souls included: Chalice bearer, Reader, Docent, Laying on of Hands, Talent show producer, Square dance caller, and “ombudsman” to its members.

While in Illinois he served as program Director at the Herrick House (a Rheumatic Fever Convalescence Center) - Bartlett; Center Manager - Junior Achievement, Chicago; President - Maywood Illinois Lions Club; Church School Superintendent, Bishops Warden, and Charter Member at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Franklin Park; Served on staff of National Camp of the Outdoor Education Association, Port Jervis, NY, and was an active member of Leisure Craft Counseling Camp (LCCC), Illinois.

Bill’s retirement in Asheville was short lived. Not only did he pursue his new career as an organic gardener, he became a certified financial advisor and estate planner. He also served two terms as president of AARP Skyland, North Carolina Chapter, and was an AARP tax aide for 9 years as well as an advocate for numerous political and community activities in the WNC region.

He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Joanna Pappandreau Kouns, two sons, John and his wife Suzanne of Glen Ellyn, IL, William and his wife Vivien of Berlin, Germany, one daughter, Marjorie of New York City, one grandson Andrew, and brother John and his wife Jean of Asheville.

The funeral services will be held at 3pm, Saturday November 3rd 2001 at The Cathedral of All Souls-Asheville, with the Very Reverend Todd Donatelli, The Reverend Janice Walker, and The Reverend Canon Augusta Anderson officiating. A reception will follow immediately after the service in the Parish Hall.

Family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mountain Area Hospice, P.O. Box 16, Asheville, NC 28813, Cathedral of All Souls - Christian Education, or your local Cancer Society Foundation.