William Marvin Kirkpatrick

He was born on October 22, 1942 in Los Angeles, California. Preceded in death by his loving parents Marvin and Helen Louise Kirkpatrick.

In October 1960, Bill was 17 yrs old when he enlisted to serve in the U.S. Navy. Following completion of his electronics training, he was assigned as an electronics technician aboard the carrier USS Bonhomme Richard in Yokosuka, Japan. During this two year tour of duty, he visited Okinawa, Japan, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Hawaii. After his three year military service, Bill visited his grandparents in Sun City, Arizona. On his 21st birthday, he hitchhiked from there to his parents home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He worked in Iowa for a time servicing Dictaphone machines and then 3M microfilm equipment. 3M promoted Bill and he relocated to St Paul, Minnesota, where he made his permanent home.

His career spanned 45 years as a Senior Service Engineer with companies including 3M, Kodak, Imation and Carestream Health. Bill was a model train hobbyist, a lover of classic cars and a tortured fan of the Minnesota Vikings. He was happy to share his time and those passions with his kids and grandkids! He also owned the heaviest 17’ canoe in the northern hemisphere!

Bill is survived by his beloved wife Debra, brother Raymond “Bud” (Sheila), sons Scott (Jody) and Kent. Favorite daughter, Kelly (Korey). Grandchildren: Carson, Amanda, Katie MacEachern (Mac), Chloe Baker (Clayton), Nicholas, Jonathan, Hailey, Hunter, Evan and Cole. Nephews Greg and Bryan; Niece Shan. Cousins Kathe Wecker (Bruce), Carol Amundson (late husband Jim) and Ron Haight. Sons-in-law Jeremy Korolchuk (Tracy), Jason Krepka and daughter-in-law Jayme Krepka.

Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held at Wulff Funeral Home on Saturday September 7, 2024: Visitation at 11:00am, Service beginning at 12:00pm, Luncheon to immediately follow.

Internment at Union Cemetery to be privately held at a later date.