Dr. Willis Edward Kirk

Dr. Willis Edward Kirk May 23, 1919 - April 8, 2013 Dr. Willis Edward Kirk known as Bill passed from this life, Monday, April 8, 2013, in Waco, Texas, at the age of 93. Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 13, at Crestview Church of Christ with the Dr. James Masters and Peter Heffner officiating. He was born May 23, 1919, in Topeka, Kansas. He attended Abilene Christian College in 1938 and while there, he met Virginia Neece from Waco. They married August 3, 1940. After working for a time in the insurance field, Bill joined the Army in 1943 and served in Europe as a medic assistant. After the war he and Virginia, along with their young daughter, Jeanne, returned to ACC in 1947. After receiving his degree in business, the family moved to Emporia, Kansas, where Bill attended Kansas State Teachers College. They moved to Waxahachie, TX, in 1950, where Bill served as minister for the College Street Church of Christ. In 1954, the family moved to West Hartford, Connecticut, where Bill served a church there as minister. Their second daughter, Joan, was born there. In 1962, Bill answered the call to become Dean of Students at Oklahoma Christian College in Oklahoma City. In 1966, he was selected as President of Christian College of the Southwest in Dallas. He received his doctorate from Oklahoma State University in 1970, and became a professional psychologist, and later, when CCS merged into Amberton University, he was professor of psychology. For some 20 years, Dr. Kirk served as an elder at the Highland Oaks Church of Christ in Dallas, and also was on the board of Christian Care Centers for many years. The Kirks moved to Waco, after retirement, where they became active in the Crestview Church of Christ. Bill had a strong interest in the Alzheimer's Association, having caregivers support groups at church. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Virginia; two daughters, Jeanne Masters and husband, James, of Canton, TX, and Joan Heffner and husband, Peter, of North Richland Hills, TX; two granddaughters, Jenni Condra and husband, Steve, and Joy McDonald and husband, Scott; and five great grandchildren, Lauren Condra, Morgan McDonald, Logan McDonald, Ryan Condra and Brianna Chalita; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.