William Kenneth (Ken) Kiser, Jr., 75, of Oak Island, NC unexpectedly entered his heavenly home on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

Ken was born in Rutherford County, NC on March 3, 1950, and he grew up in Gastonia, NC. He was the son of the late William Kenneth Kiser, Sr., and Mary Catherine Wise Kiser and was preceded in death by his loving wife of 35 years, Nita Mobley Kiser; his son, Jason Kiser; his brother, Jimmy Kiser; and his “little brother,” Ronnie Herms.

Ken graduated from Hunter Huss High School in 1968. He became an entrepreneur at the age of 21 as he began one of his many successful companies under the mentorship of Raymond Wallace. Ken served as the Director of the Gastonia Jaycees and eventually turned his talent of building businesses into a passion for building homes. His career as a builder span over 40 years. In 2004, he moved to Oak Island, NC and Custom Island Homes by Ken Kiser was born. Ken didn’t just build homes, he built relationships. Ken’s integrity, honesty, loyalty, work ethic, dedication and strong quality construction quickly set him apart and solidified him as the number one custom home builder on Oak Island. Ken was looking forward to announcing his new business venture with his business partner of 21 years, Kathy Luckadoo Ross, in June of this year. While Ken loved building homes, he loved nothing more than to be with his family and friends, especially traveling with Nita, his “Queen” and the love of his life. Ken was kind, a man of faith, and charitable, generously supporting the Alzheimer's Association, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the American Heart Association, Toys for Tots, many organizations that support Veterans and many other local organizations and charities. Ken never met a stranger and only knew love. He enjoyed telling stories and more importantly he loved to listen to the stories of others. Ken had a gift of making anyone that was in his presence feel like they were the most important person in the room. Ken will forever be remembered as a true gentleman.

Ken, aka “PawPaw Ken” is survived by his son Allen Rainwater (Marla), of Gastonia, NC; granddaughters, Megan Rainwater Lasley (Brian), and Taylor Rainwater Collmar (Jamie), all of Gastonia, NC; his great-grandsons, Howie and Deacon Collmar; his sisters Dianne Lovingood (Tom) of Ocean Isle Beach, and Brenda Jeffers of Bolivia; many nieces and nephews; special friend, and caregiver, Jenny Horne (Roger) Winnabow; special friends Bob Zwieg and Ryan Zwieg of Oak Island; Louis Coletta and Bobby Elrod, of Gastonia; and Mike, Kathy, and Evensen Ross of Wilmington and Southport.

Funeral services will be conducted on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 3:00pm in the Brunswick Funeral Service Southport Chapel (3479 Southport Supply Road, Bolivia, NC 28422).  The family will receive friends at the funeral home starting at 2:00pm.

On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 1:00pm funeral services will be conducted at McLean Funeral Directors (700 S. New Hope Road, Gastonia, NC  28054).  The family will receive friends at the funeral home starting at 12:00 Noon.  Burial will follow the service in Gaston Memorial Park. 

To honor Ken, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or the Cape Fear American Heart Association, 11 Bradley Creek Point Road, Wilmington, NC 28403.