William Joseph Kirklin

Born October 27, 1931 in Troy, Alabama, Joe later met his forever sweetheart Jan (Janice Marie Pope) at Livingston College and married her a few years later. Joe and Jan were married 61 years before Jan went to live in heaven. Joe caught a glimpse of Jan in her pretty red dress, while he was working the cafeteria line at college. Not long after, they began building an ongoing relationship of teamwork, selflessness, and caring, and instilled these values in their family and everyone they encountered. Family and friends relied upon Joe and Jan’s leadership and followed them across the country.

Joe graduated from Murphy High School in Alabama, earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Livingston College, and a Master’s Degree from Stetson University. After his marriage to Jan in 1952, they had four children, Pam Smith (1954), Karen Price (1956-2012), Cindy Hilburn (1958), and Will Kirklin (1961). In 1977 the first of his 10 WONDERFUL grandchildren was born.

Joe transitioned through five unique careers. He started out as an educator with his first principalship at age 19 for Bemiston Elementary School, Taledega, Alabama. He also taught college classes as an adjunct instructor during his follow-on careers. His second career was as an airplane design engineer for North American Airlines in California. His third career was in Florida with the Space Industry, developing software and computer systems used to track missiles and provide Air Force Eastern Range safety. He became the Manager of Eastern Range operations, maintenance, and software/system development for up and down range stations. Joe’s fourth career was with Digital Corporation (now known as Dell) as a program manager for large contracts. Joe’s final career was as a business owner with his wife and son for Winner Auto Center and Budget Truck Rental. Joe cherished working “five and a half days a week” at Winner Auto.

In addition to Joe’s multiple careers, he gained great satisfaction through Family, Faith (in God), Food, and Fun; the four ‘F’s. Sunday was his favorite day of the week because he went to church, breakfast, and the cemetery to visit his wife and daughter’s grave sites. He enjoyed Sunday afternoons watching sports, working in the yard, or hanging out with family. He covered all four ‘F’s each Sunday. Some other activities that Joe found fun were helping others, watching his family members participate in activities (church, music, sports, …), studying his bible and devotions, walking through the neighborhood, conversing with customers and acquaintances at the shop, classic cars (like his 57 Chevy), chaperoning high school bands in parades, family travel and road trips, food buffets of all types, holiday festivities with family, Christmas lights and decorations, coaching and watching sports, and enjoying his riverfront property which contained his dream home.

Joe is survived by three of his four children, his children’s spouses, Jim Smith, Steve Price, Dan Hilburn and Dawn Holmes; 10 Grandchildren; 7 Great Grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.