William Henry "Junie" Kirby Jr.

KIRBY, William Henry (Junie) Jr., 75 of Varina, was called by Our Father on September 6, 2022. Junie was born December 17, 1946, in the Homestead Resort Infirmary, Hot Springs, Virginia to the late William Henry (Buck) and Judith Maybelle Kirby. Junie is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Willeen, dear daughters Teresa Craft (Joe), Dianna McManamy; and son, William (Trey) Kirby III (Kimberly); grandchildren, Wayne Owens (Heather), Ashley and John Austin Craft (Michelle), and Summer Kirby; three delightful great granddaughters, Haily, Paisley, Kylie Owens; nephew Jimmy Kirby (Anneli), niece Jennifer Pierce; grand-niece Avery Grace Kirby; grand-nephew Donovan Pierce; and many loving cousins.

Junie graduated from Varina High School in 1965. Next year he joined the United State Navy Reserves. He proudly served in the United States Navy and was assigned to the USS Piedmont, performing electrical work, Philippines,1967-1968. In 1973 he graduated from Local Union #6666 Electrical Apprentice Program and worked throughout Virginia for 53 years. He especially enjoyed working with all his co-workers at Advanced Process Solutions, A.P.S, as a senior electrical designer for 26 years before his retirement in 2020.

Throughout his life Junie loved sports participation: baseball, football, volleyball, bowling with local and regional churches and organizations. He coached Varina Little and Varina Babe Ruth Leagues. He designed and managed a race pool of 50+ in support of Nascar to everyone’s liking and fun for 10 years, coming to know most participants personally. Junie’s fondest sports memories were of his golf “guys” who journeyed to Hilton Head/Myrtle Beach for 38 years for a week together until 2015. An adventure with two co-workers traveling from Varina to Saint Louis, Missouri on their Harley Davidsons for a week was a first and reported upon return to be a great success, however, not one to be repeated. Shorter rides became the norm.

He enjoyed music including fiddlers, country, and blue grass that he and his mother, Judy, shared for several years by attending local jam sessions and meeting the musicians. Junie was known for his sense of humor, telling jokes to those closest to him and perfect strangers, devotion to classmates, friends and his love of God and family. Junie leaves behind many who will miss him dearly.

The family will receive friends from 6 - 8 pm., Tuesday, September 20, at Nelsen Funeral Home, 4650 S. Laburnum Avenue. Junie was baptized at Four Mile Creek Baptist Church where funeral services will be held and conducted by his cousin, Reverend James Lamb at 12:00 pm on September 21, 2022. Interment will follow at Washington Memorial Park.

Gifts in Junie’s memory may be directed to Four Mile Creek Baptist Church, 2950 New Market Road, Henrico, VA 23231, or Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306. t2t.org