W.S. "William Sherl" Napier born February 27, 1934 departed this life on Saturday – November 8, 2025 at the Greg & Noreen Wells Hospice Center in Hazard, Kentucky being 91-years old.  W.S.  was born in Napfor, Kentucky the son of the late Walter Napier and the late Amanda Campbell Napier.  Other than his parents, W.S. was also preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Lee Napier; sons, James Brent Napier and Mark Alan Napier; brother, Walter Napier, Jr.

W.S. started his career in 1954 at Napfor Elementary, he then served in the U.S. Army from 1955-1958 being stationed in Germany, then came back to Napfor Elementary from 1958-1959, he then went to the University of Kentucky as a student from 1959-1960.  W.S. then came back as taught school at Dilce Combs from 1960-1961 and Buckhorn from 1961-1969, and then went to E.K.U. as a graduate student from 1969-1970, and then came back to Buckhorn to work as a counselor from 1970-1971.  W.S. finished his career working at the Perry County Board of Education Central Office serving in Finance, Maintenance and Transportation Departments, and Assistant Superintendent.

W.S. was a Veteran of the U.S. Army, a longtime member of the Krypton Brethren Church, Krypton Masonic Lodge #905, Eastern Star, Oleika Shriners and Perry County Lions Club.  W.S. was a life-long resident of Krypton, he was born in the house he currently lived in and raised his family in, he loved Krypton, Kentucky dearly, a community he spent his whole life.

W.S. Napier survived by his grandchildren, James Brent Napier Jr. & Terri of Krypton, Kentucky & Chasity Jones of Hazard, Kentucky; Great-Grandson, Austin Napier & Sarah, Matthew Napier, Alexis Jones, Makenna Walters, Maliyah Sidney; Great-Great-Grandson, Ashton Briar Napier; sister, Wanda Campbell of Hazard, Kentucky; also a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives & friends survive.

Visitation for W.S. Napier will be held on Wednesday - November 12, 2025 at the Engle-Bowling Funeral Home from 6:00 – 9:00 P.M. with Masonic Rites at 7:00 P.M.  Funeral Services will be conducted on Thursday – November 13, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. at the Engle-Bowling Funeral Home with Paul Sluss officiating. Interment will follow at the Evans Cemetery Campton, Kentucky.  Military Rites will be conducted by the Hazard-Perry County D.A.V. Chapter #64.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Greg & Noreen Wells Hospice Care Center.

Engle-Bowling Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.