I’m Kari and Billy was my grandpa. I was pretty young when grandma and grandpa Billy got married, but I do remember being really happy for them, he was always real sweet to me, right from the start. Grandpa was always interested in what new and exciting art I was creating or had made, or what I was achieving in school. He always had a real sweet smile on when I was around. He joked around a lot, making me smile and giggle laughing at his funny jokes. Every time I was at grandma and grandpas house he would always ask for grandmas cookies, I suppose everyone in our family does, they are special. Most of the time grandma wouldn’t let him eat any until after dinner.  When I was a lot younger, he would always try to sneak and extra cookie or two or a piece of candy before dinner, then sometimes grandma would catch him in the act and me too, and I remember he would make a silly ugh oh face, and that would make me laugh and we would shrug our shoulders. He would also play card games with me and Lindsey my sister, and that was a fun time, he even played skip bo sometimes with the family. He would always make me smile . I will miss everything about him. He was kind, caring and compassionate. I’m glad he was in our lives and that grandma married him . I will never forget our Billy.  I cannot wait to see him again someday. 

My husband Steve and I were both blessed to have lived across the street from Bill and Carolina. It was always nice to walk in their front door and smell the cookies Caroline was baking for Bill.  We spent many a day listening to the stories they would tell of all the dinner parties they had with the neighbors out on their patio.  The one thing I loved about the 2 of them, they both could finish each other sentences. We're going to miss you Bill. 

Lots of memories of Bill (including Caroline!):  We met Bill and Caroline at Bible Study at Royal Oaks.  We "clicked" and enjoyed eating breakfast together after the study.  As time went on, many dinners at each other's homes, playing Skip-Bo and having to watch Bill so he didn't try to sneak a card!
In later years, just sitting and visiting, taking our dogs, first Kaci, then Roxy, to visit.  He always asked when we came, "How's the puppy?"
Too many memories to recount, but can rejoice that he's with the Lord.
Our love and comfort of peace to Caroline....Bob & Dottie DeYoung

My everlasting memory was his smile. Of course that changed if his favorite sport team was doing poorly or some commentators made an opinion that he did not agree.
Bills little projects he completed at our house in Arkansas are still in great shape.In fact the improvements he made to our pull down attic stairs are used to this day. Every contractor and myself that has to venture into our attic is amazed on the sturdy construction. Bill should have applied for a patent!
As sagway to Ann’s story on her trip from Tucson to St.louis. I appreciated his involvement and help he gave Ann, especially in a Honda Civic going cross country.
When Bill married mom he inherited a large extended family and he has always treated us with respect and kindness ,this will not be forgotten for generations.
Thank you Bill,for I will always miss your friendly advice that  I received ,no matter what the project.

Bill was like a grandfather to me... we became especially close when I was living in Tucson, AZ for graduate school at the University of Arizona.  Bill was there when I would come to Phoenix on the Super Shuttle to do my laundry at their house, enjoy Grandma’s home cooking, and play Skip Bo... (he always cheated!).   Bill was there when I graduated from U of A, and he sat next to me at the Honda dealer when I bought my first new car, to make sure I was getting a good deal.   He was there when we drove for 3 days from Phoenix to Chicago for my first job... in my shiny new 2002 Honda Civic.   We had some “discussions” about what constituted real music during the trip (he was not a fan of my 70s/80s/90s music).  ;)  The best part of the trip was when Bill was driving my car and speeding through a construction zone.  We got pulled over... I frantically scrambled to look for my registration and insurance in the overflowing trunk.  The cop saw all of my junk/possessions spilling out of the car, and said, “Just forget it!!”    He gave Bill  a written warning, and we laughed all the way to Chicago.  I am still living here almost 20 years later, and look upon these memories fondly.  I was so fortunate to be able to spend Thanksgiving 2019 with Grandma & Bill, my dad, Aunt Linda and Uncle Steve,  and my two sons, his great grandchildren Alastair and Owen. This picture was taken on the last day we saw Grandpa/Great Grandpa Bill. We will miss you always, but know we will see you in Heaven one day.  All our love, Ann Barbara, Alastair, and Owen 

I remember meeting Bill when I was a teenager on spring break, visiting my Grandma in Arizona. He was the perfect partner for her...sweet, always smiling,(with a twinkle in his eye when he was teasing or joking), and instantly adopted and loved her whole entire family as his own. He was a great Skip-Bo player (when he wasn’t “accidentally” dropping cards on the floor!) And he would always try to get me in trouble by sneaking him cookies when Grandma wasn’t looking :) He was so well-read and loved to engage me in conversations about the most interesting topics. Bill truly was a tremendous gift to our family in so many ways...God knew that Grandma needed him, and that he needed us. Rest In Peace, Bill! We will always miss you! Grab a cookie any time you want :)

Gentle, kind, smart, just a few words to describe a man who became our step-father and grandfather to our children.  He adopted us and we adopted him into our family.   We mostly are thankful that mom found such a good partner to share her life with, traveling, dancing and family visits.  He is loved and will be missed.  

I am Caroline Kilgore, a proud wife and life partner to William C. Kilgore.
JESUS is the one who introduced me to Bill.
Bill was taking round and square dancing lessons in Sun City.  I was also taking the same dancing lessons but from a different class and teacher.
Bill was having a hard time learning the steps.  His teacher advised him to join another dance class for more floor time.
That same day, Marge , my teacher explained to me that I would have to bring a girlfriend to dance with me, since my temporary partner would be dancing with his wife at the dances. I told Marge I would not dance with a girl.
Marge said, “Caroline, come one more time and I will see what I can do.”
Next day, Bill called Marge about joining her class.  Marge said to Bill, “ are you single or do you have a girlfriend?”  The answers were all good. Marge said, “ I have just partner for you, you are welcome”
This was the beginning of our life together. JESUS has walked with us for 28 years.  JESUS, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, is still doing miracles today!
I will miss you Bill!
Caroline Kilgore

Bill loved to talk about his childhood days growing up in St Louis. We had lived there so we would talk about how things had changed over the years. He really knew how to tell interesting  stories about young “Billy” playing sandlot baseball in the neighborhood and running errands for his mom.  He had a sharp mind, was very well-read, and loved to discuss politics and current events. He was such a charming conversationalist!  And there was that great sense of humor! It was fun when he would look at us with a twinkle in his eye as he would start teasing Caroline while she was in the kitchen and he was in the other room and she didn’t realize he was teasing. Bill accepted all of us as his own family and he was definitely a great grandpa! We will all miss his kind spirit and great sense of humor!
Mike, Ruth, and Matt Harris

I met “Billy” 28 years ago...he fell in Love with my mother and they got married...you could never ask for a nicer step father...such a sweet man who accepted all of us with his whole heart.  He had a beautiful smile and would always be laughing at something...He loved to tease us...seemed never to be serious or sad!!
He tolerated everyone’s kids...both human and furry kids!!
He was very intelligent...we would always call him for advice...he will be greatly missed!
We are so happy he is in Heaven, praising 
Jesus...we will see him again!!
We Love you, Billy
Steve and Linda

OBITUARY

William Carson Kilgore

January 19, 1929 – October 26, 2020

Sunland Memorial Park, Mortuary & Cremation Center

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Past Services

Funeral Service