William Leon Kirk

William “Bill” Leon Kirk, 74, of Rolesville, NC, passed away on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at the Durham VA Medical Center. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 23, 1952.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Bill found love while stationed in Italy during the 1970s. Married in 1977, he returned to the States with his wife, Robin. They settled in New Jersey, where they welcomed their first daughter, Kara.

The 1980s brought the birth of Bill’s second daughter, Kelli, and son, Billy, before the family moved to North Carolina.

The 1990s saw softball and soccer games, volleyball matches, Cub Scout meetings, and baseball coaching. After work, during work, it didn’t matter — Bill was always on time for his kids.

The 2000s brought tennis matches, Carolina games, and one of Bill's greatest joys: becoming a grandfather. In 2007, he welcomed his first grandchild, followed by three more in 2009, 2010, and 2014. He treasured every moment with his grandchildren.

Along the way, Bill was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Even as the disease progressed, he continued to enjoy time with his family and attending the games, graduations, recitals, and milestones that meant so much to them.

Bill loved Twizzlers and Tootsie Rolls. But more than anything, he loved his family.

Brother. Husband. Father. Grandfather. Coach. Scoutmaster. Veteran. In each, a story of impact and influence you cannot convey with justice, not if you spent a thousand years, not if you tried a million ways.

And so, of William Leon Kirk, let it be said, simply and above all else, that he remains. Forgotten never, remembered always. His love, a legacy even oceans of time cannot swallow.