William Ahlers - Obituary

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MR. AHLERS' VIDEO TRIBUTE* William Bernhardt "Bill" Ahlers Jr., 69, of Inverness, Fla., died of emphysema Jan. 24 at Anne Arundel Medical Center after a lengthy illness. Mr. Ahlers was born Sept. 6, 1938, in Philadelphia, Pa. He was raised in Somerton, where he was a member of Somerton United Methodist Church, and graduated from Lincoln High School. He was a commercial fisherman most of his adult life, opening a fishing business in Kemah, Texas, and then in Key Largo, Fla., catching lobsters. He remained in Florida for well over 40 years. He served in the Coast Guard. His love of the sea was insatiable, and he made many friends from all walks of life in many parts of the country. He especially loved Key Largo, where he mentored many people from a local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous. He dearly loved his family and enjoyed taking them on boating excursions. He also enjoyed summering in Annapolis with his sister and boating on the Chesapeake Bay, and photography. Survivors include two sons, William B. Ahlers III of Denver, Colo., and Kurt Ahlers Janots of Philadelphia; one brother, Charles E. Ahlers of Savannah, Ga.; one sister, Ruth Day of Annapolis, and three grandchildren. Family and friends are invited to the celebration of his life at 2 p.m. Monday, January 28, 2008 at Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road in Edgewater. Funeral services will begin at 3:30 p.m. Interment is private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may made to Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation, Sajak Pavillion, 2nd Floor, 2002 Medical Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401 or to The American Lung Association, Executive Plaza I, Suite 600, 11350 McCormick Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21031.