William Lee (Bill) Kirkpatrick

William Lee (Bill) Kirkpatrick Jr., 97, of Abilene, Texas, passed away peacefully the evening of August 9, 2025.

Bill was born in Fort Worth, Texas to William Lee, Sr. and Julia Kirkpatrick on May 8, 1928. He grew up in a close-knit family with one brother and two sisters. The family attended Vickery Boulevard Church of Christ where Bill was baptized at the age of 15. In 1945, he graduated from Paschal High School and attended Texas Christian University where he was a charter member of the yacht club and graduated with a business degree in 1950. After meeting at church, Bill married the love of his life, Melba Dora Bennett in Fort Worth on April 20, 1950. After working for Alcon and GM, Bill went to work for Burlington Northern Railroad in 1951. He enjoyed a 32-year career with the railroad and eventually retired as the Treasurer in 1983. During this time, Bill and Melba were blessed with four wonderful daughters. They raised their family in Fort Worth and Denver, Colorado with an emphasis on a love for Christ and kindness to others. In 1985, Bill and Melba moved to Abilene to be close to family, where they attended Southern Hills Church of Christ. While living in Abilene, Bill valued his ten-year career in the cashier’s office at Abilene Christian University. Bill and Melba also served as house parents at Christian Homes.

Bill had such a strong love of music from a young age. He played the violin, and as a teenager, he began leading singing at his church. Throughout his life, he enjoyed singing in quartets and choruses including the Celebration Singers of Abilene. While in Fort Worth, he also led a group of singers who performed at many weddings and funerals. Most importantly, Bill’s love for God stood out above the rest and this was demonstrated everyday through his love of family, friends, and strangers alike. He faithfully served as an elder at Pleasant Ridge Church of Christ in Arlington and Southern Hills in Abilene for many years. Bill and Melba’s home was always open to friends and newcomers. They went beyond hospitality. Bill and Melba valued and loved everyone around them, whether they knew them for 40 years or 40 minutes. Bill’s love for people was a testament to his love for Jesus. This love beamed through him right to the moment he went to be with his Lord. Bill will remain an example of humility, selflessness, and love to his family and friends for countless years to come.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Melba Kirkpatrick; parents, William Lee Sr. and Julia Kirkpatrick; brother, Donald Ray Kirkpatrick; sister, Julia Ann Rogers; son-in-law, Phil Gage; and granddaughter, Rachel Gage. He is survived by his daughters Debby Gage, Becky Kirkpatrick, Nancy Morgan (Kelly), and Leah Percival (Kevin) of Lodi, California; and sister, Evelyn Jane Henshaw. Bill is also survived by his adoring grandchildren: Zachary Percival (Taylor), Jennifer Percival, Julia Schiewe (Jeremy), Sam Morgan (Amy), Matthew Morgan (Lauren), Meredith Horn (John), Katie Hathorn (Nathan), and Christopher Morgan (KaSarah). He is also survived by 18 great grandchildren.

A memorial service to celebrate Bill’s life will be held Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 10:00 am at Southern Hills Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas. Visitation will be held Friday, August 22, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Southern Hills Church of Christ. In Bill's honor, donations can be made to Christian Homes of Abilene at https://christianhomes.com/give-today/.