William Michael Kernozek, 94, of Lusby, MD passed away peacefully at his home on 26 Nov 2024.

He was born 16 Aug 1930 in Springfield, Massachusetts and was the son of William and Mary Bohnak Kernozek of Groton, Connecticut. William was the loving husband of of his 2nd wife Ella Mae Pruitt Kernozek whom he married on 3 Sept 2003 and who predeceased him on 6 Dec 2020. William was also preceded in death by his first wife Magaret Mahoney Kernozek, son Michael Kernozek, step-son Selby Pruitt, step-daughter Debrah Ann Pruitt and his brother Frederick Kernozek. He is survived by his children Deborah Anne Lamontagne and William Raymond Kernozek, step-children William Pruitt, Frances (Connie) Putt, and Kelvin Pruitt as well as 5 grandchildren Danielle, Hannah Lynn, William Michael, Aubrianna, and Gregory and numerous step grandchildren.

Immediately after his birth, his family moved to Groton, Connecticut where the depression forced him out of school at the 5th grade to help the family survive. He took a job with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals at age 16, married Margaret Anne Mahoney and purchased a home in Quaker Hill, CT near the Thames river. They raised 3 children, Deborah Anne and twin boys William Raymond and Michael Thomas. Pfizer was the only employment he would ever know. After rising in the ranks to foreman, William retired from Pfizer after 37 years of service while missing only six days. After retirement he moved to Lusby, Maryland on waterfront property and after the passing of his first wife he met and married Ella Mae Pruitt when he was 73. They enjoyed 17 years of a relaxed loving marriage until Ella's passing in 2020.

William spent his remaining days in his home with assistance from Ella's daughter Connie and son-in-law Ed whom he considered his close family and whom supported him through the very end. He was a very strong individual and overcame a subdural hematoma, glaucoma and prostate cancer late in life but succumbed recently to a hip fracture complicated by late stage dementia.
William was completely self taught with his interests ranged from sailing, camping, hiking, home remodeling, fine furniture making and gardening to metal detecting, coin and arrowhead collecting and card playing. He was also a singer/songwriter from a young age and favored mostly backwoods bluegrass music. He played multiple instruments and loved singing old country and bluegrass music at local nursing homes and other venues around Southern Maryland with the love of his life Ella Mae. In his 80s and 90s he shied away from Seniors Citizen Centers because he thought those places were for old people. His gentle demeanor and happy smile will be greatly missed and he will be loved forever.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Leonardtown, MD followed by a service at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at the Charles Memorial Gardens immediately following the service.