William R. Kirby

William (Bill) R. Kirby, age 83, of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of Ithaca, MI passed away on Friday, April 6, 2012 after an extended illness.

He was born on December 15, 1928 in Flint, Michigan to Thomas and Ora (Hackney) Kirby. He graduated from Flint Technical High School in 1947 where he was the Salutatorian. He received a scholarship to Central Michigan University where he graduated with a degree in education. He went on to earn a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership.

He married his high school sweetheart, Betty Jane in 1951 and served two years in the U.S. Army. In 1953 he was hired by Ithaca Public Schools to teach mathematics, mechanical drawing, and physical education. He served the Ithaca community and school system his entire career and held positions as the Varsity Football Assistant Coach, Head Basketball and Baseball Coach, Athletic Director, Junior High School Principal, and City of Ithaca’s Summer Recreation Director. In 1969 he became the Ithaca High School Principal and remained in that position until his retirement in 1986. He touched many lives and is remembered fondly as teacher, coach, colleague, and principal.

Bill is survived by his wife, Betty Jane Kirby (Winterle) of Mt. Pleasant; his sons, Kris (Betty) Kirby, and Dr. Kent (Beth) Kirby of Mt. Pleasant, MI; his daughter, Kathy (Dennis) Jones of East Grand Rapids, MI; and beloved grandchildren, John, Morgan, Hayley, and Evan.

Visitation with the family will be held at the Ithaca High School on Saturday April 14, 2012 from 10:00-11:30 followed by a memorial service.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the Gratiot County Community Foundation - William R. Kirby Scholarship.  This fund was created by Bill Kirby’s former students and players as an honor for his years of service and the scholarship is designated annually for an Ithaca High School graduate.

Comments

[Becky Cook]

Thoughts and prayers to the family. He was a wonderful man and so well loved by all his students and colleagues. He will be sadly missed.

[Ron and Becky Ebright]

Coach
You were probably the best thing that ever happened to the city of Ithaca

[Diane Leiter]

Senior year Coach asked us what we were planning to do after high school. I told him I was going to MSU and my major was computer science. He said I wouldn't make it in that field because I was a social person and needed to work with people, not machines. After one semester, I figured out quickly that he was right, and have thanked him a great number of times over the years. I don't know how the man knew us so well, but he did and we are better for it. My sincerest condolences to the family - may your warm and loving memories get you through this most difficult of times.

[Becky Patterson Dickman]

High school would not have been the same without Coach Kirbey. He was a great man and a friend to many of us. My friends and I have seen Coach many times since high school and he has never fogotten our names. I am proud to have been a member of the Ithaca High Scool Class of 1971 and we were proud to have had Coach as a mentor.

[Ruth Hall]

I'll never forget the 1st day of high school as he welcomed the freshman class and called everyone by name when he saw you in the hall. You always knew he was on your side and giving you the best education possible.

[Lena Sanchez King]

What a wonderful neighbor he was to us! He always assisted us when we needed help with our mom. He would buy my mom kitchen towels (to wrap the home-made tortillas she would make for him in return!). He had a contagious smile and a huge heart. I was glad we were able to enjoy He and Betty's company, a couple summers ago, at our family picnic. Good Memories indeed!
Blessings and prayers to the family.

[John R. Ebright]

Coach Kirby was a mentor to many of his students and helped them through some rough times. If not for him, I'm not sure I would have gotten through IHS. Coach Kirby and Mrs. Sawyer were the ones who encouraged me the most and I'll always be grateful to them. RIP COACH

[Marilee Mouser]

I just read the tributes that came before mine, and they said everything I possibly could have said. He was hands-on, always in the hallway, always talking to students and teachers----HE CARED!!! He wanted the best for every single student. He impacted the lives of all of my family, in that he told me once that if I talked half as well (or was it as much?) as my Dad, I'd be a great debater. And history was written. To make such a difference in so many lives, all of us could only hope for such.

[Robin (Riedel) Rogers]

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and all whos lives were touched by the wonderful teacher/coach/principal.

[Judy Riedel Tugen]

Hard to know what to say. Coach Kirby touched so many lives in such a way that we all knew he cared. Our town, then city was so much better for having him and his family be a part of it! He made us feel like we really mattered. A rare quality today but we were privileged to have him in our lives even if it was only a short time through school. Wonderful memories! May the good memories he left behind help his family through his loss. <3

[Larry Riley]

Thoughts and prayers go out to the Kirby Family. Coach Kirby was a wonderful man, an excellant coach and teacher and a great principal. He will be missed a great deal by everyone that knew him. RIP Coach Kirby, your memory will forever live on!

[Ned Weller]

Coach Kirby was an outstanding coach, principal, mentor, teacher, friend...taught many how to compete and live with good character, integrity and passion.

[Cyndi (Fortney) Roslund]

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Coach touched so MANY lives in so many ways! I had the pleasure of calling him my neighbor! He was the "West side leader" to the kids in the neighborhood! One favorite memory: my date for my senior prom was from Owosso. Coach saw us in the yard and called out to me and said he had to meet this young man and give his approval. Lucky for me, he did! This is just another way he reached out to the kids in the community! I hope these comments/memories will give joy and warmth to his family.

[Spark & Sue Kench]

All of the notes have covered how important Coach Bill Kirby was to Ithaca. I'd just add that he was a guiding force to my life. I especially have so many great memories of him. Both Sue and I express our thoughts to Betty and his family during this time. Sorry, we're still in Arizona and unable to attend the funeral.

[Connie Cumming Malloy]

Thoughts and prayers are with Betty and the family during this difficult time. What a legacy!

[Evelyn(munson) Martin]

Our thoughts and Prayers are with the Kirby family. So many memories go with him.

[Carol & Richard Merchant]

Bill helped make Ithaca the great place it is. Condolences to the family. May the memories bring you many smiles.

[Jim Goodrich]

A wonderful man. An influence in the lives of many. A belated "Thank You" for all that you stood for and passed on to so many.

[David J. Hall]

Coach Kirby will always be very special to
My memory of my years at Ithaca. He and coach green
Helped me learn lessons that stayed with me for life. He will be missed by all that knew him. David j. Hall

[Bill Hodges]

To the entire Kirby Clan...my sincere condolences for the passing of Big Kirb. There will never be anything but great memories, fantastic experiences and a lifetime of laughter. All my love,
Bill Hodges

[Mary Sanchez Syrjala]

My condolences to Betty and family. He was a very special man to everyone. A couple years ago,my late Brother Tony Jr (Sanchez) was very ill and in a nursing home in Mt Pleasant. Our family decided to have a small reunion at the home. We invited Coach and Betty to attend.We were ecstatic when they should up. I know it must have been hard for him because of his illness, but that's the kind of man he was, making you feel special. Thank you Bill for caring. To his children, thank you for sharing him all those years.

[Kevin Mikesell]

Mr. Kirby...I will never forget your kindness to me, and the inspiration you were to us all! Our prayers to the Kirby Family, may God comfort you, and be with you all!

[Debora (Foster) Shattuck]

My prayers go out to your family . I will never forget you and the times at Ithaca High.

[Mary Jo (Williams) Bueche]

Thoughts and prayers for the Kirby family. He will be greatly missed.

[Daniel Macha Class Of 1975]

The man whose wisdom stretched far beyond the realm of mentoring young men and women. In the Spring of 1975 I was fighting for survival in St Marys Hospital in Saginaw. Each week Mr K would see that I got my homework by sending it with a fellow student on Friday and my mom would take it back the following week.
Mr K would always write at the top "see you at graduation Mr Macha" and sign it Coach Kirby. I asked him one time why he signed it Coach Kirby not Mr. Kirby. He responded "I was coaching you to fight get well and return to the line-up in life." I will never forget that. He always went that extra mile to make you feel like you mattered. Heaven gained a true and genuine human being. Thank you for all you did for me.