A celebration of life service for Verne “Billy” Kiel IV will be at 2 p.m. Monday at United Methodist Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. John Mitchem will officiate. Visitation will be at 12:30 p.m. Monday and continue until the time of the service at the church.

Billy passed away suddenly on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017, in Eagan after a long battle with mental illness and addiction. He was 32.

Verne “Billy” Herschel Kiel IV was born June 28, 1985, to Verne “Jay” Herschel Kiel III and Dawn Charlson in Honolulu. He grew up in Minnesota until the age of 12, when he moved to Florida for a period of time. For the last three years, Billy was living in Minnesota. Billy always thought of Florida as home. He loved the sand and sun of Florida, but the snow and cold in Minnesota were something he never enjoyed.

Billy was baptized at United Methodist Church in Albert Lea. After his schooling, he worked several different jobs in the area. Billy was a very good artist. He loved drawing and painting. He also had the best hugs; he would wrap his arms around you with a hug that always made you feel loved by him. He loved fitness; you could find him working out constantly. He especially loved working out with his grandpa, Verne, at the YMCA.

He liked hiking, biking and walking around the lake. Billy always had a special place in his heart for animals. Billy had a sense of humor like nobody else and his smile could brighten a dreary day. He would often play jokes on his family and his grandparents. He was a kind, caring person who had a very big heart, always so willing to help others with their struggles, but just couldn’t take his own for another day. Even with all his muscle and strength, it was not enough to fight the horrible monster of addiction.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Barbara Erickson and Bill Charlson; and step-grandfather, Gary Erickson.

Those left to cherish his memory include his parents Jay (Janet) Kiel and Dawn Cobb; stepfather, Michael Cobb; grandparents Verne (Shirley) Kiel; siblings Cameryn Cobb, Ciara Cobb and John Kiel; stepsiblings Amie, Carrie, Melissa, Jusseppe and Jarol; and aunts and uncles Larry (Pat) Charlson, Mike (Netta) Charlson, Deb Chance, Kim (Dan) Stiernagle and Sara (Kyle) Jensen; along with many loving cousins, relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Humane Society of Freeborn County.