William Jackson Kirby

William Jackson Kirby entered into eternal rest on Sunday, December 16, 2018 at Roper Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina. His relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services Wednesday, December 19, 2018 in Old Saint Andrew's Parish Church, Charleston, South Carolina at 3:00 p.m. The family will receive guests at a reception in the parish hall following the service.

Mr. Kirby was born November 29, 1929 in Langdale, Alabama, the eighth child of William Causey Kirby and Mittis Louisa Arnold Kirby. He was a veteran and proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After his service, he attended the University of Alabama and graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce and Business Administration. He was an active member of the University of Alabama Alumni Association.

Mr. Kirby began his career as a certified public accountant with Arthur Young & Company in Atlanta, Georgia before serving in financial management roles for the Munford Company, Vulcan Materials Company and Martin-Marietta Aerospace Division. In 1966, he cofounded Norton, Womack & Kirby Company, a multi-family property development and management company based in Charleston, South Carolina. The partnership developed and owned multi-family complexes throughout the Southeast. After the company was sold in 1983, he became the Director of Business and Personnel at the Historic Charleston Foundation remaining there until his retirement in 1994.

Mr. Kirby was a licensed South Carolina real estate broker and was actively involved in the Greater Charleston Real Estate Board and the Charleston Apartment Owners and Managers Association. He had a strong passion for history, architecture and music and was a member of S.C. Historic Society and the Preservation Society of Charleston. Devout in his faith, he was a member of St. Andrew's Church, Mt. Pleasant at the time of his death. Prior to joining St Andrews, he was an active member of Old St Andrews Parish Church serving as a senior warden and a member of the vestry for many years.

He is survived by his daughter, Anne Kirby Surrett (Douglas) of Charleston, S.C and son-in-law, David Bryan Hughes of Pittsboro, N.C.; his grandchildren, Elizabeth Bailey Surrett of Charlotte, NC, Lindsey Hughes Ventura (Cameron) of Los Angeles, California, Caroline Kirby Hughes (Alexander Bowman) of Hillsborough, NC, and Douglas Jackson Surrett of Charleston, SC; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Kirby was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Betty Norton Kirby, his cherished daughter, Claire Kirby Hughes, eight siblings and his parents.

Memorials may be made to St. Andrews Church, 440 Whilden Street, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464; the Old St. Andrew's Parish Churchyard Fund, 2604 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414 or The American Red Cross, 2424-A City Hall Lane, North Charleston, SC 29406. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Downtown Chapel.