William Guy Kirby

William Guy Kirby, 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at home under the care of GHC Hospice surrounded by his loving family after a lengthy illness.

A resident of Jesup, Georgia for the past twenty years and former resident of Seneca, South Carolina for seventy years, Guy was born on January 15, 1933 in Seneca, South Carolina to the late, Joe Shelor Kirby and Ruby Cornelia Black Kirby.  He served his country in the United States Navy for several years aboard the USS Point Cruz before returning home to South Carolina to begin a career as a mechanic with Excelsior Finishing Plant in Pendleton, South Carolina where he worked faithfully over the next  thirty four years until his retirement.  Guy was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church in Seneca, South Carolina and he enjoyed collecting guns and coins, training dogs, gardening and canning vegetables in his spare time.  He was known to be tough and strong willed and has been quoted as saying,” If you’re gonna get old you better be tough.”  In addition to his parents, his wife of sixty-six years, Mattie Sue Buff Kirby;  son, Richard Scott Kirby; brothers, David and Jimmy Kirby; sisters, Barbara Kendrick and Lois McKinney and son-in-law, Michael Head, all preceded him in death.

Survivors include his daughter, Vicki Head of Jesup; brother,  Ronnie Kirby and sister, Gail Kirby, both of Seneca, South Carolina and grandchildren, Ethan Micha Head and Harley Elizabeth Head both of Jesup and Emerald Hickmon and husband, Eric of Kingsland, Georgia.  A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members also survive.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with Chaplain Ryan Wilson officiating.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of First Light and GHC Hospice for the extra special love and care given to Guy during his final days. 

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