Mr. William Daniel Kirk Sr.

William Daniel Kirk, Sr. of Roswell, Georgia, passed away on January 8, 2017. He was the son of the late Irene Crowley Kirk and David Alexander Kirk of Charlotte, N.C. He was born on July 26, 1926 in Jackson, Michigan. In his young years he resided in several northern states and attended high school at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C. At Belmont Abbey he participated in football, basketball and other sports and was a captain and sharpshooter in the ROTC. He graduated with an associate degree and transferred to Duke University. At Duke he was a vice president of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and participated in several campus organizations. His senior year he met his future wife, Doris Caveness and they both graduated in 1948. Bill received a BA in business administration and Doris a BA in economics. Bill was employed by International Harvester Company, farm equipment division, for thirty five years. He and Doris were married on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1949, in an evening ceremony in Saint Benedict’s Catholic Church in Greensboro, N.C. Bill’s football coach from Belmont Abbey, Father Walter Coggin (later Abbot) married them. Bill’s employment carried them to many locations in Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Georgia. Their marriage was blessed with six children and Bill was active working with Boy Scouts and church activities, serving on church councils, financial committees and as lector at mass. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. As his advancement with International grew he encountered interesting adventures. In New Orleans he was in charge of providing tractors and drivers for most of the Mardi Gras parades and was acquainted with behind the scene people. He and his dealers won a trip to Havana, Cuba, in 1952 and stayed at the National de Cuba at the same time Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner were there on their honeymoon. And then there were the years serving as manager of a company store and working with the tobacco farmers in eastern North Carolina. Bill was Southern Regional Dealer Development Manager in Atlanta, Memphis and Valdosta. He retired in 1981, and he and Doris moved to Roswell to be closer to their children. Bill was predeceased by his sister Sally M. Kirk of Charlotte, N.C. and Roswell, GA. On March 17, 1977, his daughter, Mary K. Hankins and her husband William F. Hankins died in a boat collision in eastern North Carolina. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Doris, and daughters Patricia Kirk of Roswell, Kathleen K. Swahn (Charles) of Johns Creek, and Erin K. New (Bert) of Watkinsville, and sons William D. Kirk, Jr. (Diane) of Johns Creek and David F. Kirk of Savannah. His seven grandchildren are Brett J. Statome (Lori) of Marietta, Kristin S. Hankins of Acworth, Shannon Swahn Bailey (Paul) of Arlington, VA, Megan Swahn of Washington, DC, Kendall Kirk Lanois (Christopher) of Carrollton, VA, Dr. Emily Kirk of Duluth, GA and Sara New of Watkinsville, GA. His five great-granddaughters are Hayden Statome and Grace Statome of Marietta, Olivia Lanois and Claire Lanois of Carrollton, VA, and Sally Bailey of Arlington, VA. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 from 5 to 7pm at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors with a prayer service to follow. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at 10am at Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Alpharetta, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

Mr. William Daniel Kirk Sr.

July 26, 1926 - January 8, 2017