William L. “Bill” Kitchens, 76, of Plant City, died Oct. 6, 2013, of cancer.
He was born Jan. 17, 1937, in Lakeland, to the late Ruth and John Kitchens Sr.
Mr. Kitchens was a Gideon and a Mason. He became a Christian at Camp Gilead Cabin 2 and was a longtime member of Plant City’s First Baptist Church.
He served in the U.S. Army Reserves.
He retired in 1998, from Publix as the director of construction, after 42 years of service. He enjoyed his career and appreciated the opportunity George Jenkins gave him to work for such a great company. He enjoyed working on his land, building, traveling, playing golf and the piano.
Mr. Kitchens loved his family and showed it in many ways. He taught and instilled biblical truths to impact their lives and was an example of those truths. He enjoyed helping people in need and expected nothing in return. He will be greatly missed but we know he is in his heavenly home, no more pain or sorrow.
He is survived by his wife, Jeannine Kitchens; children, Julie Britt (Tim), John Kitchens (Toni), Joel Kitchens (Deborah) and Kim Simpson (Dave); siblings, John Kitchens (Grace), Tommy Kitchens (Donna) and Mary Hornsby; grandchildren, Timothy Britt (Lanna), Matthew Britt (Theo), Connor Kitchens, Courtney Kitchens, Garrett Kitchens, Hannah Simpson, Cole Fraser and Abbey Simpson; and great-grandchildren, Emma Britt, Darien Martin and Nick Martin.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Annette Kitchens; daughter, Sherry Lynn Kitchens; and sisters, Pat Fleckenstein and Kathryn Kitchens.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at Plant City’s First Baptist Church,503 N. Palmer St., Plant City. Family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m.
Interment will be private in New Home Cemetery, Lakeland.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Steppin’ Stone Farm, 8421 Pritcher Road, Lithia, FL. 33547; The Florida Baptist Children’s Home, P.O. Box 8190, Lakeland, FL. 33815; The Gideons International Plant City Camp, P.O. Box 1469, Plant City, FL. 33564; or The Pregnancy Care Center, 304 N. Collins St., Plant City, FL. 33563.
Online condolences may be made to the family at wecare.io.