Bill Text: IL SR2211 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of William Dean "Bill" "Kirbo" Kirby of Tolono.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2018-11-28 - Resolution Adopted [SR2211 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-SR2211-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of William Dean "Bill" "Kirbo" Kirby of
Tolono, who passed away on November 23, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Bill Kirby was born in Buffalo Hart to Agnes Opal
(Duncan) and Arthur Taylor Kirby on July 18, 1920; he attended
Blackburn College and then graduated from the University of
Illinois in 1942; after earning his degree, he enlisted in the
United States Army Air Forces, where he served in the war as a
medical administration officer in England and rode a pontoon
plane that traveled back and forth over the English Channel
picking up survivors; he rose to the rank of second lieutenant;
he married Norma Jean Schroeder on April 8, 1943; and
WHEREAS, After the war, Bill Kirby worked for Georgetown
schools and taught agriculture and biology; during this time,
he and some of his friends organized the annual Georgetown
Fair, which was officially recognized by the Illinois
Department of Agriculture in 1948; after teaching for five
years, he worked as an agent for County Financial Insurance
until his retirement in 1985; and
WHEREAS, Bill Kirby served as mayor of Tolono from 1961
until 1969 and then as a trustee for eight more years; during

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his time with the village, he felt his biggest achievement was
the establishment of a sanitary sewer system; he was the
treasurer for the Unit 7 School District for 20 years; he also
wrote a popular weekly column for The County Star, in which he
discussed Buffalo, the war, Tolono, and Unit 7; he complied his
writings into the book, "Buffalo Chips and Tolono Clips" in
2000; in recent years, he served as president of the Tolono
Historical Society and the Veterans Museum; and
WHEREAS, Bill Kirby was an active member of the Tolono
United Methodist Church and the Tolono Lions Club; he was a
long-term member of the VFW and the American Legion; he was an
avid fan of Fighting Illini football and basketball and
attended as many games as he could for as long as he was able;
he will be remembered for his love for his community; and
WHEREAS, Bill Kirby was preceded in death by his wife,
Norma; his son, Richard (Sue); his daughter, Gail; his parents;
and his five brothers; and
WHEREAS, Bill Kirby is survived by his sons, Robert
(Claudia) and Rod (Cathy); his seven grandchildren; and his
five great-grandchildren; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of

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William Dean "Bill" "Kirbo" Kirby and extend our sincere
condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved
him; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Bill Kirby as an expression of our
deepest sympathy.