William H. Kirk

William H. (Bill) Kirk of Kingsport, Tennessee, loving husband, father, grand-father, and great-grandfather, died peacefully at his home on November 13, 2025 at the age of 87.

Bill was born on May 1, 1938, in Toccoa, Georgia to parents Paul and Shirley Kirk. They moved to Sylva, North Carolina in 1940 where Bill and his three brothers grew up and where he met the forever love of his life, Alice. Bill was very active in Scouting, earning his Eagle Scout qualification, and graduated from Sylva Central High School. He was a proud graduate of North Carolina State University where he majored in Mechanical Engineering and began lifelong friendships through the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Bill started working for the Mead Corporation in Sylva while still in college and then full time in Kingsport upon graduation in 1959, and he spent virtually his entire working career with Mead. Bill and Alice were married in Sylva in 1961 and began their life together in Kingsport where they lived until 1973, welcoming their three children David, Sandy, and Karen during those years. The family moved to Dayton, Ohio and then spent many years in Scottsboro Alabama before ultimately returning to Kingsport where Bill served as plant manager for the Mead paper mill until his retirement.

Bill had a deep love of traveling, and he and Alice spent their years after his retirement traveling the world including all over Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Galapagos Islands, Costa Rica, and China. Bill especially loved traveling across the United States in their RV and spending time with his family and good friends at Litchfield by the Sea. Bill enjoyed playing tennis, loved boating and playing bridge, and participated in Habitat for Humanity for many years. He was an active member of the Rotary Club and First Broad Street Methodist Church. However, Bill was most devoted to his family, both immediate and extended, and nothing gave him more happiness in life than spending time with family.

He was preceded in death by his brother Loyd and his grandsons, Alex West and Caleb Grisenti.

Bill is survived by his wife Alice; their three children David Kirk (Kristen) of Woodbridge VA, Sandy West (Charlie) of Cleveland TN, and Karen Grisenti (Jereme) of Blountville TN; 11 grandchildren: Nathan, Noah, and Sarah Kirk; Diana West Bolen (Jay); Hannah Grisenti Benson (Jeremy); and Alissa, Megan, Eliana, Talia, Kari, and Lucy Grisenti; four great-grandchildren, and his brothers, Dayton and Jerry.

A memorial service to celebrate Bill’s life will be held at the First Broad Street United Methodist Church in Kingsport on December 13, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Habitat for Humanity at 110 Greenwood Lane, Kingsport TN 37663, the First Broad Street United Methodist Church in Kingsport, or the charity of your choice.