William “Bill” Thomas Kirkwood, 65, of Wooster died on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare.
Born in Cleveland on July 24, 1959, Bill was the youngest of three children born to Ralph and Ruth Kirkwood. He went to school at Roosevelt Junior High School in Cleveland Heights. The family moved to Wooster in 1974 when Bill attended Wooster High School and graduated in 1977. Bill got his associate’s degree in accounting at Wooster Business College. From there, Bill worked in the family lumber business called Kenwood Lumber with his father and brother. With a passion for tennis, he went to Nationals and continued playing for a number of years. Golf was something that was in Bill’s blood but hadn’t come to the forefront until he was asked to be Assistant Golf Coach at Mount Union University in Alliance. It was after meeting and coaching the players that Bill started to see that this was his true passion. He took over as Head Golf Coach of both Men and Women’s golf for a number of years while taking the Women to Nationals for 3 years in a row. Making sure the players had all the tools and advantages they needed to be winners, Bill headed up the fund-raising for a Golf Center at Mount Union University. While volunteering at the US Open one year, Bill had the privilege of meeting Annika Sorenstam and her caddy husband, Mike McGee who was a Mount Union University alumnus. At the height of Bill’s career with Mount Union University he was taken ill and was diagnosed at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus with CLL/SLL, a form of Lymphoma/Leukemia. Even though he was receiving treatment at Summa Akron City, he continued to coach on a daily basis. Earlier this year, CNS, another rare form of Lymphoma/Leukemia struck. In only a few short months, Bill lost his fight.
On July 25th, 1992, Bill met the love of his life, Sue. Bill proposed on October 6th, 1996, and they married on July 25th, 1997, at Stan Hewitt Gardens in Akron. Mugsy is their beloved pet and also Mascot to the golf teams at Mount Union University. Nancy Kerner, of Hellertown, PA is the oldest sister and has two children Sarah and Michael Kerner. Ralph Kirkwood (Dixie), of Wooster, is the second in line of the siblings.
We want to thank Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare for their amazing guidance and help throughout this process. Also, everyone on the 7th floor in the M Building of Cleveland Clinic Main Campus for the support, love, and exceptional care given. Lastly, to our extended family at Mount Union University for taking such good care of us both. You all have been a lifeline throughout all of this journey making sure we are well taken care of and loved.
The service will be private with no calling hours. Instead, we ask that you sit quietly by yourself or in a group on October 6th at 6:30pm and release both a purple and white balloon to remember Bill.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster, is assisting the family.
Instead, of cards and flowers, please make donations to Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691 or to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, P.O. Box 22324, New York, NY 10087.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
I met Bill when he first moved to Wooster from Cleveland. We were neighbors. We spent a lot time together, playing tennis, chess, cards, ping pong and pool. He was a great friend and a great guy. I am sad to learn of his passing. I am sure he is in Heaven and has reunited with his mom and dad. Thank you for the memories Billy.
Bill and I first met at Buehler’s Town Market in 1976 where we were fellow carryouts. We bowled at Wayne Lanes for several years on the same team and golfed on league together. We shared many good times together, he was a great friend to have.
Sue- I am so sorry for your loss. You & Bill shared a wonderful life- just not long enough. Sending prayers to & the family.
i met bill in 1997 playing at the college of wooster golf course. we became instint friends and remained as such. im going to always feel priviledged to have known such a good man and great friend. i will miss you my friend. God be with you.
So sorry to see this. I worked with Bill at pro-fab industries. Such a nice man!
Condolences to the family. Bill was a great guy. I played golf on the same team as Bill in a league at Riceland in the 1990’s. He was a decent golfer but was a great person. I never heard him make a bad remark about anyone and always had the rest of us smiling with his upbeat personality. Bill touched a lot of lives with his love and enthusiasm for people, may he have eternal peace.
Please don’t release the balloons. Find a better way plant a tree you’re a flower or something. Balloons flowed into Farmers fields and get into our food supply. They fall into our water ways and contaminate a resources. Please do not release the balloons.
Sorry for your loss. May you find peace and comfort in the days ahead. God be with you and yours!
I met Bill as a Sophomore at Wooster High School, where we both played saxophone in the Band. We shared many wonderful times through High School as very close friends, along with our Buddy, Gary Lowe. We were tennis and sandlot football teammates, and personally spent much time together in each others’ homes. His parents were special people in my life. He was always highly energetic, buoyant in personality, and very competitive. In addition, I never met a more self-disciplined young person. His sense of integrity regarding timeliness, and orderliness were daunting. I will treasure the last few months of his life when we were able to talk about essential matters of faith, family, and “forever-life”. I trust Bill is looking at the face of Jesus Christ. My deepest condolences and continued prayers for his dear wife and uncompromising partner, Sue. Grace and peace.
We met Bill many years ago and golfed with him too. He had a great sense of humor and was lots of fun, he also attended a few “Bug Bashes”at Mohican State Park. Bill was simply just a nice man that will be missed by so many friends.
Our sympathies to the Kirkwood family, especially Sue-with our hopes that the good memories of him help you through these hard times.
I met Bill through being a high school girls golf coach. Such a wonderful man always so good to all the girls and coaches. We will all really miss Bill. Much love and prayers to Sue and family.