General William (Bill) L. Kirk passed away, surrounded by his family, at his home in Niceville, FL on Wednesday, April 26, 2017. Bill was born on July 11, 1932 in Rayville, LA to Benjamin Leslie and Cloverdell Owens Kirk. He graduated from Rayville High School in 1950, enlisted in the Air Force in 1951, and became an Aviation Cadet in February of 1953. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and awarded his pilot's wings in April 1954. After 38 years of service, General Kirk retired from the United States Air Force as Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Force in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe.
Bill met the love of his life, Nancy M. Early, in 1955 at Yokota Air Base, Japan. They were married on April 1, 1956. Together they had 4 children. Bill and Nancy traveled the world together, established lifelong friends, and were passionate about serving their country. Throughout Bill's career he flew more than 6000 hours in fighters, flew combat missions during the Vietnam War, in which he shot down two enemy fighters, and was awarded over 37 medals
including the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal and the Silver and Bronze Stars.
After retiring and living in over 14 states and countries, Bill and Nancy established their home in Niceville, FL in 1992. Bill served as a strong liaison between Eglin Air Force Base and the Okaloosa County military support organizations. For 20 years, Bill chaired the Eglin Chapter Air Force Association Golf Tournament. Proceeds from the tournament, gifted over 200 ROTC high school students' with college scholarships and financial awards for academic achievement. Bill's passions were playing golf, raising corn and tomatoes, hunting, spending time with family and friends, and watching the Dallas Cowboys.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Nancy; daughter, Karen Bennett (Phil) of Marietta, GA; son, Stephen of Baton Rouge, LA; and son Kenneth (Roberta) of Louisville, KY; 3 grandchildren Jason, Kevin, and Sarah; and predeceased by son, William Jr. (Les).
A Celebration of Life/Visitation will be held at Heritage Gardens Funeral Home in Niceville, FL
on Monday, May 8th 2017, from 5-7pm. A Memorial Mass, with reception following, will be held at Christ Our Redeemer Catholic Church, White Point Road on Tuesday, May 9th 2017, at 9:00am. Interment with Full Military Honors will take place at Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, FL on Tuesday, May 9th, 2017, at 1:30pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in General Kirk's name to Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, 350 Boatner Rd, Eglin AFB, FL 32542, www.fisherhouseemeraldcoast.org. You may go online to offer condolences to the family and sign the guestbook at www.heritagegardensfuneralhome.com. Heritage Gardens Funeral Home of Niceville is entrusted with the arrangements.

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Published by Northwest Florida Daily News on May 7, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for William Kirk

13 Entries

Jeffrey Lee

June 3, 2021

I had the Honor of meeting Gen. Kirk in the late 70's when he stopped for fuel at Grissom, AFB.

He walked up to my station (R-9 Refueler) and spoke with me for several minutes while the CC secured his aircraft.

I remain awestruck to this day...and will be forever grateful for the opportunity to have met and spoke with such a True and Gracious Leader.

He was an enduring inspiration for this once young POL (A1C) troop.

May God Bless and Comfort his family and friends.

A belated Thank You, General.

Slow Salute, Sir!

A lden Presley

September 6, 2017

Just learned of "Buddy's death. His family meant so much to me as a child. His Mom was my Sunday School teacher. Buddy & I graduated together, rode the school bus together and I thought of him as my "best friend".
We have truly lost one of our nation's greatest servants. God love & keep the family in His care. Alden Presley

May 8, 2017

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Uncle Buddy was a special person to us. God bless and be with you all.
Leslie Burback (Adelene's Daughter), Mike, Matthew, Kristen, and Jennifer.

May 5, 2017

May the God of all comfort strengthen the family during this time of deep sorrow. Those who pass on, God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes. My sincerest condolences. (Psalms 116:15)

May 4, 2017

I want to offer condolences to you and your family for your loss. Death is a very a sad time, especially when we lose someone we love. It is so encouraging to know that God promises the Earth will be restored and we will be reunited with our deceased loved ones again. May the peace from our heavenly father comfort you at this time.

Ted Freitag

May 3, 2017

Ted

Michael Grischkowsky, LtCol, USMC (ret)

May 2, 2017

From the Grischkowsky Kids, we are heartbroken. Such wonderful memories growing up around the Kirks--from England to Hawaii. Mrs Kirk, Karen, Stephen, and Kenneth, our thoughts, prayers, and pride are with you always.

Boyd Van Horn

April 30, 2017

Bill and I got our wings in April 1954. I met Bill and Nancy at Benwaters , England. We were in the 92nd TFS . He and Nancy were my true friends and we had a lot of fun in England.He was a gentleman, excellent fighter pilot, wonderful husband and father to Nancy and the kids. We will all miss him and wish his family our greatest support during these rough times.Boyd L. Van Horn, Colonel USAF, Ret.

Ann Alman

April 29, 2017

Bill was a true gentleman and wonderful neighbor - all those years ago when Paul and I lived so near you in Bluewater Bay. I was sorry to read, Nancy, of his passing in the latest Tac Recce newsletter. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you travel your path onward. Paul always said Bill was one of the best military officers he had encountered!

John Cooper, Lt. Col., USAF (ret)

April 28, 2017

I knew Gen.Kirk only by reputation until both of us had retired from the Air Force. Then I had the privilege of meeting him personally through a mutual friend, and had some interaction with him through the Association of Old Crows. As an Electronic Warfare Officer, I appreciated his knowledge and enthusiasm for our specialty in the overall Air Force mission, and his genuine leadership in that regard. He was a true role model and inspiration to us all. My sincere sympathy to his family at this sad time.

Russel McClintock

April 28, 2017

I had the privelege of knowing Gen Kirk as we roamed the halls of the basement in the Pentagon as action officers and again as his Deputy when he was the Director of Electronic Combat. He was the example of what an Air Force officer should aspire to be. It was an honor to have known him and to have had the opportunity to work for him.

Gary OShaughnessy

April 28, 2017

Gen Kirk was a mentor and a dear friend to me. We worked together twice at USAF Europe. Diane and I will miss him dearly and send our love and prayers to Nancy.

Stan Goldstein

April 28, 2017

I had the honor of working for Col Bill Kirk in the Fighter shop of the Pentagon. He was a true leader and a good friend.

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