William Kirk
William Clifford Kirk, 83, of Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, passed away on Wednesday, November 11, 2020.
Clifford was born in Stevenson, Al., on June 15, 1937. He graduated from Hixson High School in 1956 and went on to receive a degree in Sports Management/Building Trades from UT Knoxville. He married his high school sweetheart, Ruth, in 1960. Together they had two daughters. He served in the U. S. Army and two years in the Navy Reserves.
After becoming a prominent home builder in the Chattanooga area, he went on to teach Building Trades/Cabinet Making at Sequoyah Vocational Center.
His love of sports eventually led him to coach his two daughters in fast pitch softball on summer recreational leagues. He soon began coaching prep softball where he became a legend in the Chattanooga area with over 1100 wins. This record places him in the top 10 winningest coaches in high school softball in the nation. He led teams at Lookout Valley, Hixson High School (two state championships), Soddy-Daisy High School (eight state championships) and Sale Creek High School. His dream was to build a state championship team at Sale Creek.
He was inducted into the Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame, the Tennessee State Hall of Fame, and the Hixson High School Hall of Fame. He also won nine state Coach of the Year awards and multiple Scrappy Moore awards He also has two softball fields named in his honor.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Lena Kirk, and his sister Joann Falls. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ruth Kirk, two daughters, Cindy Mosgrove (Anthony) and Janet Hinds (Jimmy Jackson); four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 4 p.m. at Christ Family Church located at 12070 Dayton Pike, Soddy Daisy, Tn. 37379 with Reverend Calvin Nunley and grandson, Pastor Craig Mosgrove officiating.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Nov. 13, at Christ Family Church from 5-8 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 1-4 p.m. prior to the funeral service at the church.
Mask are required at the visitation and the funeral service due to Covid regulations.
The family will have a private burial at Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Sale Creek High School, Softball Booster Club, at 211 Patterson Road, Sale Creek, Tn. 37373.
Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, 423 531-3975.