Dr. John William Kilgore, Sr.
July 30, 1930 ~ November 5, 2019
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ROCKY MOUNT - Dr. John William Kilgore, Sr., age 89, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 5, 2019. Born in Mercer County, WV on July 30, 1930, he was the son of the late Emory R. Kilgore and Pauline Richardson Kilgore. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Ann Willingham Kilgore.
Bill grew up in Tazewell, Virginia where he excelled in his studies and at the age of 15, he relocated to Chattanooga, Tennessee to attended McCallie Private Boarding School. Following his high school graduation, he went on to major in Chemistry at Hampton-Sydney College. In 1952, Bill was drafted into the Army Medical Corps and was stationed in Monterey, California until 1954. After serving his country, he returned to McCallie Private Boarding School as a teacher, and thus his passion for educating others began. Later, he would go on to receive his Doctorate in Chemistry from Duke University. Life blessed Bill again on August 18, 1956, when he married the love of his life, Ann Jackson Willingham of Charlotte and decided to make their home in Rocky Mount where he became a professor teaching chemistry and physics at North Carolina Wesleyan College. After his stint at Wesleyan College, in 1980 Bill began teaching at Barton College until his retirement in 1996. A connoisseur of fine scotch, a forever Duke fan, and an avid watcher of cooking shows, Bill was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and a good friend to many. He will be forever missed by many and will never be forgotten.
Bill leaves behind to cherish his memory, daughters, Debbie Bradley and husband, Ashley, of Rocky Mount and Elizabeth Kilgore of Rocky Mount; and sons, Mark Kilgore of Boone and John William "Bill" Kilgore, Jr. and wife, Denise, of Rocky Mount. He is also survived by grandchildren, Ross Bennett Bradley, Joshua Mark Kilgore and wife, Chelsea, Sarah Ann Kilgore; great-grandchildren, Brennon and Emma Kilgore.
A Special Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Friday, November 8, 2019 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
The family would like to thank Dr. Don Bales and the staff at Nash Heart Center.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Duke Children's Hospital, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27705.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
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Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Friday 11/8, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
A Special Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Friday, November 8, 2019 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mr. Kilgore was a good friend of ours, he will be greatly missed. Praying the family during their time of great loss.
So very Sorry Debbie. My prayers with you and your Family. Love to you!
Such a great man and father and such an incredible educator. Prayers and blessings to the family. Hal Swindell. NC Wesleyan class of 1982.
Debbie I send hugs to you and your family, I know how very difficult your dad’s passing is for all of you. While I did not know your dad personally, I do know you loved him dearly and I do know he must have been a very very special man to have been such an influential man to have loved your mom, family, friends and students SOOO fiercely. May God bless you and your family and shelter yal in his arms in the coming days my friend 😌
So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your Family in your time of sadness. Vivian Martin
Doc as he was known at NCWC was my Chemistry and Physic professor during the very late 1970s. But he was much more than that. He was also my mentor. Suffice it to say that he had a major influence on me and subsequently working career. Godspeed, Doc and heartfelt thoughts to his family.
Bill Kilgore was a longtime friend to the Rushing family and we will always remember the kindnesses that he showed our father in his last days. .Bill and Ann were both kind and generous whom we loved and respected. Condolences from our family to theirs.