Dedicated to Friends, Past and Present

Obituary​

William Kenneth Killebrew, a ten-year resident of Destin, died after a long illness on Sunday at Sacred Heart Hospital of Emerald Coast.  He was 75.  He was the son of the late William Thomas "Captain Bill" Killebrew, a local TV personality for years in Memphis, and the late Marie Buckley Killebrew of Memphis, TN.  After cremation, memorial service will be held at Destin United Methodist Church of Destin on Friday, September 20th at 2:00 pm. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia Johnson Killebrew; son, William Kenneth Killebrew, Jr and sister, Kay Killebrew Conaway, all of Memphis.  He is survived by his wife, Nancy Johnson Killebrew; son, Keith McClellan Killebrew of Fayetteville, TN; sister, Judy Killebrew Lambert of Medon, TN; stepson Jason Collard, West Memphis, AR; and stepdaughter, Shannon Armstrong, Destin. He is also survived by grandsons, William K. (Trey) Killebrew, III and Trevor Harding of Denton, TX; Thomas Killebrew and Jackson Killebrew of Fayetteville, TN; Alex Armstrong of West Memphis, AR, Charlie Armstrong of Destin; Whit Collard and Grey Collard, West Memphis, AR and granddaughters, Elizabeth "Bee" Armstrong, Destin and Sydney Collard, West Memphis, AR . He also leaves his nephew, Michael Lambert of Medon, TN and his nieces, Natalie Lambert Hill, Clinton, MS and Molly Conaway Dill, Memphis, TN. He was born at home in Dresden, TN.  After the family moved to Memphis, at age 5, he ran away from home and was found on his way to the Memphis airport with his toy airplane tucked under his arm.  He meant to fly.  He went on to attend Memphis State University and join the Army Reserve.  He was granted a loan from Mr. Hartzog, the founder of Hart's Bakery in Memphis for flying lessons. He then crop-dusted to accumulate hours for his commercial pilot's license. He joined Southern Airways in 1965.  He retired as captain on the DC-10 from Northwest Airlines in 1998 with 33 years of service.  He was an ardent animal lover and his three cats: Sophie, China and Shadow were a constant source of joy and comfort to him.His giving spirit and sense of humor will be greatly missed by his many friends.  He was a character one never forgets. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, any memorials be sent to either Destin United Methodist Church, 200 Beach St., Destin, FL. 32541  or to the ALS Association, Florida Chapter, 3242 Parkside Center, Tampa, FL 33619-0907.

William Kenneth Killebrew
January 4, 1938 -  September 15, 2013