Tuesday, August 16, 2011

William "Bill" Kimble 1921-2011

William “Bill” Kimble was born in Bixby, OK, the son of Floyd C. Kimble and Retha Vide Stiltz Kimble.

The extended Kimble family moved to Douglas, AZ in 1926. Bill Kimble’s grandfather Charles Chester “C.C.” Kimble invested in the ranching business and his four sons (Roy, JB, Floyd “F.C.” and Gus) continued to ranch for decades afterwards with F.C. and Gus operating ranches east of Douglas.

Bill attended Clawson Elementary school, Carlson grammar school and graduated from Douglas High School in the summer of 1938. He attended New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell NM and transferred to Stanford University. In 1941, he enlisted in the US Army for ‘the duration of the War’ after Pearl Harbor. After basic training, he was assigned to the Army Air Corps Station in Port of Spain, Trinidad as a cryptographer and attained the rank of technical sergeant.

He returned to the States and married his high school sweetheart Genevieve Louise Ford on April 23, 1945, who joined him at his last Army post in San Bernardino, CA. In 1946, they returned to Douglas, where Bill and his father formed the Kimble Cattle Company and ran several ranches, including the original property near Chiricahua, over the course of the next 30 years.

Bill and his wife Louise had seven children between 1946 and 1963 - all born in Douglas. He participated in the Douglas community as an member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, B.P.O.E., Sheriff’s association., Apache, AZ School Board, Whitewater Draw NRCD, American Legion, NRA member. He worked with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Agency to bring electricity to the San Simon valley. He was a strong advocate and supporter of the establishment of Cochise College near Douglas.

There are many fond memories of holidays spent on the ranch and in Douglas with the extended family, particularly his nieces and nephews of the Deen, Wagner and Brady families.

He is survived by his widow Louise Kimble, her sister Mary Ellen Ford of San Francisco, CA, and seven children: Melinda Kimble (James Phippard) of Washington, DC, Bill Kimble Jr. (Michele) of Apache, AZ and Rodeo, NM. Sue Krentz (widow of Rob Krentz) of Apache, AZ, Melissa Strahl (Stuart) of Clarendon Hills, IL, Marguerite(Lily) Percell (Mark) of Phoenix, AZ, Jon Kimble (Laura Cullen) of Fresno, CA, and Steve Kimble (Josie) of San Diego, CA. In addition there are thirteen grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Elizabeth Kimble Wagner (Betty) and Margaret Kimble Deen (Peggy).

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests DONATIONS TO THE RESTORE OUR BORDER OR WOUNDED WARRIOR PORJECT.

Donations can be sent to the Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association, Restore Our Border Plan at 1401 N 24th St Suite 4 Phoenix AZ 85008. Thank you so much!!! Patrick A BrayExecutive Vice President Arizona Cattle Growers' Association1401 N. 24th Street, Suite 4Phoenix, Arizona 85008O: 602-267-1129F: 602-220-9833C: 602-762-0671 www.azcattlemensassoc.org

WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT
JENNEIFER LAKE
4899 BELFORT ROAD....SUITE 300
JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA 32256

No comments: