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Obituary for Billy G. Kirkey Jr.

Billy Gene Kirkey, Junior, 57, of Springfield, Missouri passed away Friday, November 3, 2017. Bill was born February 2, 1960 in Springfield, Missouri. He graduated from Glendale High School and then went on to graduate from the Penn Valley Police Academy to pursue a career in law enforcement. He worked as a reserve police officer for the Springfield Police Department before moving on to the Clinton Police Department and ultimately the Kansas City Police Department. After becoming duty disabled, he returned to Springfield where he began working for the Ramey/Price Cutter Company.
While in Clinton, Bill met Darla Rotert. They married in 1986 and had two children, Rachel and Billy. After moving back to Springfield in 1995, Bill reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Janet, and her two children Katie and Grant. Bill and Janet were married in 2001.
Bill was a loyal family man who loved golfing, being outside, planting trees, history, and a good political discussion. He will always be remembered for his corny sense of humor.
He is survived by his wife, Janet Kirkey, their children, Katie Donham, Rachel Kirkey, Billy Kirkey III, and Grant Peters; son in law, Josh Donham; daughter in law, Jessie Peters; grandson, Gavin Donham; sister, Brenda Yarnell, her husband Van Yarnell, and their children Cassie Plunkett, Chelsea Dykes, and Carlie Yarnell; brother in law John Smith and his children Clint and Jake Smith; nephew, Noel; niece, Destiney and her children; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his father, Billy Kirkey, Sr. and mother, Audrey Kirkey; brother, Robert Sheffield; sister, Barbara Smith; and nephew, Robert Sheffield.
A memorial service with visitation to follow will be held Friday, November 10 from 6 to 8 pm at Greenlawn East in Springfield, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the KCPD Care Team at the address below.
KCPD Care Team
c/o Jennifer Miller
1125 Locust
Kansas City, Missouri 64106

“Not gold, but only man can make a people great and strong; Men who, for truth and honor’s sake, stand fast and suffer long. Brave men who work while others sleep, who dare while others fly… They build a nation’s pillars deep and lift them to the sky.”
“The Great Men” Ralph Waldo Emerson

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