William Kirby Obituary

Kirby, William Joseph (Jay)

William Joseph (Jay) Kirby, 83, of Winnetka, Illinois and Vero Beach, Florida, passed away on June 30, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Baltimore, MD on September 23, 1937, first son to William Joseph Kirby and Marjorie Marie Wagner. Jay graduated from Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, PA, Pennsylvania State University BS and Cornell University with his Master's degree from the ILR School. He was married to Catherine Craig (Kitty) on June 17, 1961. Jay retired as a senior vice president after 42 years at FMC Corporation. He and his wife have resided for the past 51 years in the Chicago suburbs and the past 33 years in Vero Beach, Florida. Jay is survived by his wife Kitty and their children: Bill (Leslie Taylor) of Rowayton, CT, Craig (Maureen Ward) of Wilmette, IL, and David (Amanda Stokes) of Westport, CT. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Elizabeth, Cameron, Andrew, William, Chandler, Lindsay, Jake, Matthew, Georgia and Catherine. He is also survived by his brother, David Wagner Kirby, sister, Constance Kirby Bain, sister-in-law, Molly Craig Billingsley, brother-in-law Frank Pratt Billingsley, dear friend Jennifer Cole, and nieces Catherine Billingsley Schaeffer, Caroline Billingsley Parr, Samantha Bain Dutill and Christine Elizabeth Bain. Jay enjoyed athletic competition throughout his life. He ran track and cross country at Penn State. He loved tennis, biking, skiing and regularly attended his children's and grandchildren's sporting events of all kinds. He also relished hunting with his black Labrador Retrievers and the camaraderie and competition of skeet shooting in Florida. A warm and gracious host, Jay enjoyed the company of family and friends throughout his life and welcomed all into his home. Jay traveled the world over a lifetime and cherished the opportunity to discover new places, new cultures and hidden secrets of foreign lands. For many years, Jay and Kitty spent vacations biking through Europe with a great group of friends from Chicago. He always rode up one more hill. Quoting one of his favorite columnists, Charles Krauthammer, "I leave this life with no regrets. It was a wonderful life—full of great loves and great endeavors that made it worth living."

A Memorial Service will take place on Friday, August 20 at 11 AM at the Kenilworth Union Church, 211 Kenilworth Avenue, Kenilworth, IL. The service will be held outdoors in the Memorial Garden, weather permitting. Memorial contributions may be made to: Indian River Land Trust, 80 Royal Palm Pointe, Suite 301, Vero Beach FL 32960, Field Museum, 1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago IL 60605 or Roosevelt University, 430 S Michigan Avenue, Chicago IL 60605. Online condolences may be shared at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com. Online condolences may be shared at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.

Sign Guest Book at legacy.suntimes.com