William "Bill" Kirby
There will be an open house from 1-4 on Saturday, November 14, at 1210 W. Oregon Street.
William W. (Bill) Kirby was born and raised in Bellingham. He graduated from Bellingham High School in 1947 and served in the US Navy for five years. In 1952, he began an Electrician's Apprenticeship, eventually becoming a Washington State/ I.B.E.W. Licensed Journeyman Electrician. He worked for Mills Electric and Mobil Refinery for many years.
Bill married Patricia Ann Whelan in 1953.
He enjoyed his long friendship with Don Downs and regular morning coffee with his fellow retired electricians.
Bill is survived by his wife, Patricia; siblings Joanne Johnson of Shelton, WA, and James Alex of Everett, WA; two children, William Kirby, Jr. and Michael (Kim) Kirby; grandchildren Paul (Anna) Kirby and Aaron Kirby; and great-grandchildren James and Christopher.
There will be an open house from 1-4 on Saturday, November 14, at 1210 W. Oregon Street.
Memories
From Lavina DeMuth
I'm sadded to hear of your loss. I use to see Bill from a distance at the mall early in the mornings when he met
his friends for coffee. I walked there a couple of times a week with two lady friends. One of them has moved to
California to be near family, and the other one I still walk with on occasion, but we use the Target entrance so had'nt
see Bill for over a year or more. It looks like he really enjoyed his great grandson (I'm assuming that's who the little
boy is.) How special he had this little person in his life. I only have the 3 grandkids and none are married or have a
family. 20 year old twin boys who belong to my middle son, and my 25 year old granddaughter who belongs to son #2.
Greg just turned 60, never married, my youngest son will be 51 this month, & he never married. Son #4 is married but they
elected not to have children. I often wondered when I still rode my bike, if you had moved into your Mom's house. I quit
riding last year, have a bit of a balance problem so it was time to put the bike away. It was nice seeing the pictures of
your sons. Good looking guys, as always. The best to you and yours, keep on keeping on. An old old friend.
Lavina DeMuth
From Don & Kristin
Dear Kirby family,
We were so sorry to learn of Bills passing, he was and stil will remain a great friend, we had many chuckles, challenges, the things that life throws our way. Bill always had a positve outlook on most any thing, we learned many things from and always enjoyed hearing of their trips to Montana. Later when we too started to travel we always got a call or two checking to see where we were and if we had stopped in Montana at some of the places that he found interesting. He served his country well , we are so grateful for the years of our friendship.Bill and Don worked not only as electricions but home projects as well. Bill will be missed by all who knew him, he touched many lives for good.
Hugs Don & Kristin
From DR. Lina Zeine
Dear Kirby Family
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I was honored to have met and worked with Bill. He was a regular lecturer in my graduate class at Western Washington University. He loved to talk to the students in the Communication Sciences and Disorders department. He was generous with his time and his stories. The students loved meeting him and asking him questions. He had a lovely sense of humor and an easy way about him. He had a lovely philosophy of life where he felt that every day was a gift to be cherished and be grateful to have. The students and I were always impressed with his optimistic outlook. He seems to have embodied the adage "if life gives you lemons, make lemonade" and enjoy drinking it! I will miss Bill, he was a good example to all of us.
I pray for the progress of his soul in the next world
Lina Zeine, Ph.D
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