Billy Kirby

Billy G. Kirby Goreville-Billy G. Kirby, 82, of Goreville passed away on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 8:00 PM at his home. Funeral services will be held for Billy on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Blue Funeral Home in Goreville with Reverend P.L. Montgomery officiating. Burial will be in Cana Cemetery in Goreville where Military Rites will be conducted by the VFW Post 1301, American Legion Post 347 and the National Guard. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 from 5:00 PM- 8:00 PM at the Goreville location; Masonic Rites will be performed at 7:00 PM at the funeral home in Goreville. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois; envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be sent C/O Blue Funeral Home, P.O. Box 411, Marion, IL, 62959. Billy was born on April 9, 1928 in Johnson County, IL to Lester “Dutch” & Stella “Peggy” (Lewis) Kirby. He married Catherine Green on December 18, 1946; she preceded him on January 10, 2003. Survivors include his children, Rita & Max Motsinger, Tracy & Diane Kirby, Kira Franklin and Chris & Renee Kirby; grandchildren, Kirby Brewer, Johnna Herren, Tanya Hill, Adam Kirby and Scott Kirby; step-grandchildren, Kim Caldwell, Mike Motsinger and Teresa Clayton; several great-grandchildren; brothers, Bob & Jeanette Kirby and Gary Kirby; several nieces and nephews. Billy was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Catherine; son-in-law, Bill Franklin; brother, Harold Kirby; sister, Pauline Billingsley and sisters-in-law, Mae Kirby & Evelyn Malcolm. He served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Missouri and was also a Mason. Billy loved golf, hunting, reading, riding horses. He enjoyed live-stock farming and spending time with his family.