William Dee "Will" Kirby Sr.

William Dee Kirby, Sr. "Will," of Greenville, SC passed away peacefully at his home in Greenville, SC on Saturday, December 13th, 2025. He was 83 years old. He is survived by his wife and the love of his life for 57 years, Margaret G. Kirby (Peggy) and his sons William Dee Kirby, Jr. (Gail) and Bryan Garrison Kirby, Sr. (Heather). Will loved his grandchildren, Daniel, Anna, Garrison, Callie, and Abi, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Will was born in St. George, SC in March of 1942 to Bryan and Pallie Kirby. He was their youngest son and brother of Carroll Kirby (Ann) and Elinor Malendoski (Bill). He and his siblings often enjoyed summers with family in Fountain Inn, SC. Will completed his early education in St. George where he played football and served as President of his Senior Class at St. George High School.
He began his Clemson A&M College career in the Fall of 1960 when he was dropped off in front of Tillman Hall with only a suitcase and a footlocker. Will joined Army ROTC at Clemson as a freshman. Throughout his time at Clemson, Will was an active member of the Baptist Student Union (BSU) and attended First Baptist Church Clemson very faithfully where he was "adopted" by members from the church family. While attending one session of summer school at Clemson, Will served as President of Summer BSU where he attended a lakeside bonfire at the home of the Malphrus family off Strawberry Lane; it was here he was introduced to Peggy Garrison, a local high school student and member of First Baptist.
After graduating Clemson with a degree in History in 1964, Will was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served in the 261st Signal Company of the Signal Corps. He was stationed at Fort Huachuca, AZ and later at Fort Hood, TX. Will and Peggy dated while Will served with the Army and Peggy finished her degree at Winthrop. They were married in 1968 in Clemson at First Baptist Church and honeymooned in Gatlinburg, TN.
Following 2 years of active duty serving the country he loved, Will transitioned to Army Reserve status where he joined the local unit in Greenville, SC, and served until 1970, when he was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. While serving in the Reserves, Will met Chaplain Dr. Grady Dukes who invited Will and Peggy to attend Northgate Baptist Church in Greenville where Dr. Dukes served as pastor.
As they settled in Greenville, Will began his professional services career as a Business Consultant with what would become The PM Group of South Carolina, Inc. His professional passion was helping his clients and friends navigate an ever-changing tax code. Will continued to own and work at The PM Group for more than 50 years and was still actively working until the day he died.
He lived out his calling to introduce people to the love of God through Jesus Christ. Will's primary passions were the love of his family and the ministry of Northgate Baptist Church. At Northgate, he served as a Deacon and regularly taught adult Sunday school, sang in the choir, cooked for the weekly Men's Prayer Breakfast, and visited families who had recently moved into the area. Will was also passionate about Christian Learning Centers of Greenville which hosts public school children in Released-Time format at local churches where they can hear the Good News of God's love as part of their school day. Will also loved assisting the ministry of Compassion Connection by delivering furniture to and visiting with low-income senior citizens.
Will's pastimes included being an avid reader of theology and politics, tinkering in his basement garage, listening to music, and enjoying a good fire. A lifelong member of IPTAY at Clemson, Will was a faithful fan of Clemson sports and loved making family memories around watching his Tigers play. As much as Will loved to cheer for the Tigers, the time before and after games with his family and friends allowed for real conversations and connections. These moments will be treasured forever. Will also loved time with his family at the Isle of Palms, SC where he cooked a St. George-style breakfast each morning for any of the kids that would rise to partake, even those who were a bike-ride away. His family will miss Will's hugs, his St. George accent and stories, his cheering at grandkids' sporting events, cheering together at Clemson sporting events, solving jigsaw puzzles together, Saturday morning breakfasts, his prayers at family gatherings, and his faithful presence, support, and encouraging words.
His life was marked by a sincere faith in Jesus' finished work on the cross, and the love and peace that comes with knowing Jesus. Will's faith in Christ enabled him to serve others with love, patience, faithfulness, generosity, and steadfast unwavering support.
His family is confident and comforted by the fact that Will is now a witness to the Resurrection of His Savior, Jesus.
The family will give thanks to God for his life with a service on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at Northgate Baptist Church, 633 Summit Drive in Greenville, S.C. at 4:00 p.m. The family will receive friends in the church Sanctuary beginning at 2:30 p.m. before the service. The service will be livestreamed at www.youtube.com/@northgatebaptist
A Graveside service with Military Honors will be held at a later date at Woodland Cemetery on the campus of Clemson University.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Christian Learning Centers of Greenville or Compassion Connection through the North American Mission Board
Friends are encouraged to share their favorite memories of Will with the family by clicking on the button labeled "Share A Memory."