William E. "Bill" Kirkman
William E. “Bill” Kirkman
May 2, 1936 — November 26, 2018
William E. “Bill” Kirkman, 82, of Indianapolis, passed away on November 26, 2018 at IU Health West Hospital in Avon, Indiana. Bill was born on May 2, 1936 in Indianapolis to the late Rev. Roscoe Kirkman and Irene M. (Cummins) Kirkman.
After graduating from Manual High School in 1954, Bill attended Butler University where he met his wife, Janice Caryl “Jan” Sherritt of Shelbyville, IN. They were married on March 29, 1958 and enjoyed 52 years together until Jan preceded him in death on January 4, 2011. He found love a second time when he married Ruth Fiete on November 24, 2012.
Bill worked for 28 years as an executive in the photofinishing industry working for Fox Photo in San Antonio, Texas and then for Fotomat in Tampa, Florida. He then spent nine years as an executive for Pearle Vision and then as a franchisee for six Pearle Vision stores. Bill’s entrepreneurial spirit continued as the owner of two radio stations and a travel agency in Marble Falls, Texas.
In 2011, Bill met Ruth Fiete and they married in 2012. They settled first in Spicewood, Texas and then relocated to Indianapolis in 2014. In his retirement, Bill developed a love of tennis and he and Ruth loved to travel. During his life, Bill was active in numerous church and community organizations.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents Rev. Roscoe and Irene Kirkman, his first wife, Jan; and his brother, Rev. Robert E. “Bob” Kirkman. He is survived by his wife, Ruth and by his sons Kevin W. (Carolyn) Kirkman, Kent S. (Leni) Kirkman, Keith A. (Cindy) Kirkman; and his daughter Kelly K. (Joe) Klein. He is also survived by two step-sons Greg A. (Ila) Fiete and Brian C. (Pamela) Fiete; ten grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; seven great-grandsons; and two step-great-granddaughters.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Sunday December 16th at the North United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, including visitation from 2 to 4 p.m. and a memorial service at 4 p.m. The family suggests donations to the North United Methodist Church outreach program or a charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.
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