William Kenneth “Kenny” Kilgore passed peacefully into the Kingdom of his Lord Jesus Christ and into the loving arms of his wife, Kathleen Louise “Kate” on November 16, 2021. He was born in Riverside Hospital in Newport News on September 27, 1947, to a loving family composed of parents, William and Sadie Kilgore, dear sister, Janice Edwards (Otis), and brother Wilfred. On September 22, 1967, Kenny married the love of his life and together they welcomed a bundle of joy named Clay.

His career began at Horn Brothers and transitioned to Anheuser Busch, where he retired as a master machinist with over 30 years of service. Kenny began his second career, after the loss of his wife, as a contractor for AS&M at NASA as a Facility Coordinator. He loved the many friends he made at work, who will all attest that “if Kenny couldn’t fix it, it can’t be fixed!”

Following in the footsteps of his father, Kenny was a Mason and was Past Master at Bremond Masonic Lodge #241 and a member of the Eastern Star (Past Patron), an activity he enjoyed alongside his wife and sister.

More than anything, Kenny enjoyed having fun! His deep belly laugh could be heard as he “spent Clay’s inheritance” on his favorite pastimes, which included rocking out with Clay and Tammy at concerts, crafting projects in his woodworking shed, shooting pistols, and spending time with his family and friends. Of course, he loved his new Corvette and would be the first to suggest hopping in the car to drive to OBX (or Myrtle Beach!) just for lunch. Recently he added Martha Bauer in his adventures and this made him very happy.

Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 40 years Kate, his infant daughter Mary Kathleen, and his nephew Rusty Price. He is survived by his son, Clay Kilgore (Tammy); step-grandkids Brittney (Brian) and George III (Jess); four great-grandchildren, Rosie, Avie, Faith, and Hallee; nieces and nephews, Billy Kilgore (Brittany), Susan Clemmer (Dave), Dawn Williamson (Phil), Katherine Carlisle (Brian), Buster Edwards (Joe), Cheryl Mishoe (Keith), Rebecca Pearson (Eric), and Kyle Kilgore (Ashley); and a host of friends, too numerous to name.

His grandchildren called him “Grandpa” and his nieces and nephews knew him as “Uncle Patron”. Kenny also enjoyed spending time with Clay’s in-laws, Dan Davis (Kim, Tyler, and Kensley) and Janie Kostyl (Wayne). He spoke fondly of breakfast dates with his niece Nicole and recently was honored to celebrate the weddings of John and Kendall Runion (Dawn and Phil); and Tyler and Madeline Jeffries (Dan and Kim).

The family will receive friends on Monday, November 22 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Peninsula Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 23 at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, officiated by the Rev. John Price, a dear friend and husband to Cathy Price, Kenny’s sister-in-law. The CDC highly recommends masks for inside gatherings. Following a graveside interment at Peninsula Memorial Park, with Masonic Rites, the family will be receiving loved ones at the Olde Port Cove Clubhouse in Tabb.

As Kenny would say, “Every day is a good day. Some are better than others.” For those of us lucky enough to have him in our life, he is a constant reminder of the truth in that statement.

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.