Emmitt Bilal Kegler

Emmitt (Bilal) Kegler was born April 29, 1951 in Albany, Ga to the late Bob Carlton Kegler and Emma Elizabeth Long.  He returned to Allah on June 7, 2018. After a short illness.

Emmitt was educated in the Albany, Ga school system and was a skilled singer and musician.  As a young man he moved to New Jersey and became proficient in brick masonry, carpentry and landscaping.  Shortly after the start of his career, he married Valarie Williams.

Emmitt would continue his love and passion for singing throughout his life.  He was in a quartet singing group, "The Four Elements" for a number of years and following that, Emmitt broke out on his own to pursue a solo career.  He quickly gained a record contract with Beat Box Records.  He went on to record with the likes of EMI and the Flavor Unit to name a few.  Emmitt had a passion to touch and share his love with any and every one he came in contact with.

Very community minded, Emmitt gave and received special pleasure from taking neighborhood children to the park and movies.  He was respected for his uncanny ability to organize youth to perform in shows and in sports.  With his entrepreneurial spirit, he was sure to be selling you something.  if he was not giving you something.

Emmitt leaves his brothers, Carlton and William Kegler, and sister Yvonne Kegler.  He is predeceased by brother Clarke Jones and sister Mollie Motry, Vera Kegler, Naomi Jones and lillie Mae Jones.  He leaves His wife, Valarie Kegler; former partner, Dorothy Moore Johnson; 3 sons; Sherrick Kegler and wife Rosalyn Kegler,Bilal & Aziz Kegler, fiance' Octavia Echols; 3 daughters: Tanya Thomas and husband Jeffery Thomas, Lolita Fudge and husband Brian Fudge, and Samira Kegler Green and husband Chris Green: 15 grandchildren: Hannah Rose Adams, Ethan Moore, Trey Atkins, Faja Kegler, Jennah Kegler, Azim Kegler, Sura Kegler, Precious Daniels, Shafeeqa Kegler, Ayyanna Kegler, Keira Grant, Jocelyn Kegler, Al Hadi Kegler, Samod Bernard, Najah Kegler, and a host of nieces,nephews, and friends.

Emmitt leaves a legacy of being one full of generosity and a source of inspiration at times when needed.