Paul William Kahl

Paul William Kahl, 73, of 402 Woodland Church Road, Hertford, NC, passed away peacefully in his home on Monday, August 10, 2026.

Born July 31, 1953, in Sharon, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Charles William Kahl and Ann Hines Caneup. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepmother, Doris Kahl, and stepfather, Bill Caneup.

Mr. Kahl earned his bachelor’s degree from Elizabeth City State University and devoted many years of his professional life to public service. He retired as Chief Building Inspector with Pasquotank County for over 30 years, and more recently with the City of Elizabeth City. Mr. Kahl was also a Fire Marshall for Pasquotank County. Throughout his career, he was respected for his knowledge, professionalism, and commitment to the communities he served.

Service to others was also an important part of Mr. Kahl’s life. He was a former volunteer firefighter with the Carolina Beach Volunteer Fire Department and Inter-County Volunteer Fire Department. His years of service reflected his willingness to answer the call when others were in need and his commitment to protecting and serving his community.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jill Harrell Kahl; two sons, Nicholas Kahl and wife, Jessie, of Wilmington, NC, and Brian Kahl of Elizabeth City, NC; and a daughter, Nichole K. Billups and husband, Johnny, of Elizabeth City, NC.

He is also survived by his brother, Jim Kahl and wife, Jean, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; two sisters, Anna Boyce and husband, James, of Hertford, NC, and Jill Anderson and husband, Aaron, of New Castle, Pennsylvania; and ten grandchildren, Mya Billups, Preston Billups, Kimberly Malone, Emmett Kahl, Elijah Kahl, Violet Kahl, London Andress, Kayla Kahl, Emma Kahl, and Brent Kahl, as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family members of which he cherished.

A memorial service celebrating Mr. Kahl’s life will be held Sunday, August 16, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, NC 27944, and will be officiated by his son, Nicholas Kahl. The family will receive friends in the funeral home lobby immediately following the service and all other times at the residence.

Flowers are welcome, or memorial contributions may be made to Inter-County Volunteer Fire Department (ICVFD, C / O AJ Moore, 439 Red Banks Road, Hertford, NC or to The American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, (American Cancer Society) in Mr. Kahl’s memory.

Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, NC, is assisting the Kahl family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made by visiting millerfhc.com.