William R. Ernst, 80

LUTHERVILLE - William R. "Bill" Ernst, 80, of Lutherville, died on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2007 at Stella Maris in Timonium.

Born in Baltimore, he was the son of the late John H. and Martha Jane Unglaub Erns, who was a native of Crisfield.

In 1944 he dropped out of high school at age 17 and lied about his age so he could join the Navy and serve in World War II. He served with 7th Fleet, USS SC-738 (a submarine chaser), in the American Theater and the Philippines, and received a good conduct medal. When the war ended he came home and started his career as a painter with Kuehnle-Wilson of Maryland Inc., one of the largest painting contractors in the state, where he worked his way up from an apprentice to the president of the company. He was president when he retired in the 1980s. Jobs he worked on during his career included Memorial Stadium, the Lyric Opera House, Carling Brewery, the Hyatt Regency in downtown Baltimore, Calvert Cliffs, and the National Cathedral in Washington.

During his retirement he became interested in building and flying radio-controlled airplanes, and was a member of the Sunday Flyers in Middle River. He was better at building the planes than flying them, though. He spent a lot of time repairing planes that had "crashed and burned." His other interests included gardening, fishing, and reading.

His late grandfather was Robert A. Unglaub of Baltimore, who played Major League Baseball for the New York Highlanders, Boston Americans, and Washington Senators, and managed the Boston Red Sox during the 1907 season.

Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth "Betsy" (Austin) Ernst; four children, Barbara Newton of Cub Hill, John W. Ernst of Freeland, Robert M. Ernst of Fort Collins, Colo., and Emily Wills of York, Pa.; eight grandchildren, Kate Schmelyun, Lisa Newton, Annie Ernst, Alicia Ernst, Jessica Thurber, Elizabeth "Liz" Ernst, Shannon Wills, and Teage Ernst; and one great-grandson, William Robert Schmelyun. He was preceded in death by a cousin, Robert H. Bradshaw Sr. of Crisfield.

There are no services planned at this time and donations in his memory may be made to one's favorite charity.

Arrangements are being handled by Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield.