SSG (Ret) William "Bill" Kendrick Irwin

June 17, 1932 - February 14, 2015

SSG (Ret) William “Bill” Kendrick Irwin, son of the late Carlisle Brown and Jean (Kendrick) Irwin, was born June 17, 1932 in Ft. Benning, Georgia. Due to his father being in the military, Bill and the family moved quite a bit during his young life. Bill’s family was a true military family. His grandfather had served with the 7th Calvary during the American Indian Wars and his father, Carlisle, served during World War I and World War II. Bill and his family lived in Hawaii while his dad was stationed there, and they left shortly before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Bill followed in his family’s footsteps and entered the United States Army in 1954 and served his country faithfully until his retirement in 1974. For his faithful service, he had attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and earned several awards and commendations; some of which included: National Defense Service Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal w/1 Silver Star, Vietnam Service Medal w/1 Bronze Service Star, Republic Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device, Good Conduct Medal (5th Award), Overseas Service Bar (3), and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Medal w/Palm. After his retirement from the military, Bill and the family moved to Tennessee for a time and they came back to Waynesville after the death of his first wife, Betty Irwin in 1980. On April 11, 1982, Bill was united in marriage to Gladys Mae Baser in Waynesville, Missouri. They shared over 32 years of marriage together. In 1982, Bill went to work for the Department of Corrections and retired in 1997 after 15 years of service. In his spare time, Bill enjoyed photography. He was a member of the Ozark Memorial VFW #3176 of St. Robert. Bill passed away Saturday, February 14, 2015, in General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital of Fort Leonard Wood having attained the age of 82 years. Bill leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Gladys of the home; three step-sons, Robert Darr of Waynesville, MO, Randall Darr of Fountain Hill, AR, Danny Shelden (Grace) of Dixon, MO; two step-daughters, Robin Drennon (Sonny) of St. Robert, MO, Carol Woody (Tom) of Waynesville, MO; his sister, Lawson Hickox of Knoxville, TN; eight step-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents and first wife, Bill was preceded in death by two step-daughters: Rita and Ramona Darr. Services were held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, February 19, 2015 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert with Chaplain (CPT) Jonathan Porter officiating. The song “I Can Only Imagine” was played. Serving as escorts were the United States Army. Burial with military honors followed in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery of Waynesville, Missouri. Military honors were provided by the United States Army of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.