William Kirkland

EAST BARRE - William "Bill" Kirkland, 74, of Phil Street, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, at Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin. His loving family was at his bedside. Bill had been battling heart disease for over 22 years.

Born on July 11, 1938, in Brilliant, Ohio, he was the son of James and Nellie (Coffman) Kirkland. He attended Mingo Junction, Ohio, schools until his enlistment in the United States Marine Corps in 1957. After basic training, Bill was stationed in Boston aboard the USS Wasp and had served for six months in the Mediterranean. Later, he was stationed for six weeks off the coast of Cuba during the Cuban crisis. He took great pride in his service to his country in the Corps.

On Oct. 19, 1959, Bill married Sandra Blanchard in Steubenville, Ohio. They returned to Vermont and made their home in East Barre. They have been affiliated with the East Barre Congregational Church.

Bill worked in sales and was a branch manager for 25 years with the J.J. Nissen Baking Co. He also worked for the Gerson Co. and the Thomas Baking Co. until his heart attack in 1990, at the age of 51.

He was very civic-minded, and his community was important to him. For 22 years, Bill served on the Barre Town School Board as the facilities chairman. He also served on the Barre Supervisory Union Board and the Barre Town Recreation Board.

He was devoted to his family and cherished his many friends and civic associates.

Survivors include his wife, Sandra Kirkland, of East Barre; two sons, Bruce Kirkland and his wife, Nancy, of East Barre, and Kirby Kirkland, of Barre; a daughter, Tamella "Tami" Thygesen, and her husband, Thomas, of Washington; six grandchildren, Tara and Tyler Thygesen, Kayla and Kendra Kirkland, and Marybeth and Gabrielle Weeden; a sister, Armatha Cucarese, and her husband, Joseph, of Wintersville, Ohio; a sister-in-law, Harriet Blanchard, of Washington; nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; five brothers, James, John, Earl, Robert and George Kirkland; a sister, Della Virtue; and a brother-in law, Lyle Blanchard.

A private service will be held at the convenience of his family Friday in the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy St., Barre. Interment will take place in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Washington.

A public service of remembrance and a celebration of life for family and friends will be held Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012, at 11 a.m. in the Barre Town Elementary School gymnasium. A time of fellowship and refreshments will follow after the service for family and friends in the school cafeteria.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Recreational Opportunities For Students With Special Needs, Barre Town Elementary School, c/o Julia Pritchard, 70 Websterville Road, Barre, VT 05641 or to Special Olympics Vermont, 16 Gregory Drive, Suite 2, South Burlington, VT 05403.