William Wright Irby
b. 18 May 1924, d. 11 November 2008
- Father: William Wright Irby Jr. b. December 1870, d. 1944
- Mother: Lillian (?) b. 8 June 1897, d. 22 September 1987
- William Wright Irby was born on 18 May 1924 in Alachua, Alachua County, Florida.
- William Wright Irby Jr. and Lillian (?) appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Alachua, Alachua County, Florida. Other members of the household included William Wright Irby, Gertrude Irby and Rebecca Evans Irby.
- He married Mary Elizabeth Knight.
- William Wright Irby died on 11 November 2008 at age 84 in Alachua, Alachua County, Florida.
- His wife Mary Elizabeth Knight became a widow at his death.
- He was interred at Newnansville Cemetery, Alachua, Alachua County, Florida.
- The following appeared on 12 November 2008 in The Gainesville Sun: (Alachua) William W. Irby, 84, of Alachua passed away November 11, 2008. He was born May 18, 1924 in Alachua and was an active member of the Alachua community throughout his life. Mr. Irby was an avid Gator fan and a graduate of the University of Florida where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees.
In 1992 the School Board of Alachua County named the new elementary school in Alachua "W.W. Irby Elementary" in honor of Mr. Irby's many years of service to the district and the community. Mr. Irby served as a teacher, coach, and school principal for 36 years. He was a former Director of the Florida Elementary School Association, former President of the Alachua County Principals Association, and former Director of the Alachua County Public School Foundation. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Alachua where he was a Sunday School teacher for more than twenty five years. He was also a Boy Scout volunteer for more than twenty five years, past president of the Citizens for a Better Alachua, and volunteer fire fighter in Alachua for many years. Mr. Irby was a sixty-year member of the Alachua Lions Club where he served as Lions President three times, including one year at the Ocoee Lions Club. Mr. Irby received the Melvin Jones Award, Lions highest honor, in recognition of his many years of service with the Lions. Mr. Irby was a veteran serving during World War II with the United States Army Air Corps 852nd Bomb Squadron, 491st Bomb Group of the "Mighty 8th" Eighth Air Force. He was a member of the American Legion.
Mr. Irby is survived by his wife of sixty years, Mary Elizabeth Knight Irby, three sons: Will Irby and his wife, Carol of Chiefland, J. K. "Buddy" Irby and his wife, Linda of Gainesville, C.B. "Rusty" Irby of Bushnell; daughter Anne Irby Mitchell of Beaufort, South Carolina. He is also survived by grandsons, William Irby V, Jesse K. Irby II, Patrick A. Irby, and granddaughters Mary Beth Mitchell and Hanna Irby. In addition, he is survived by his sister Juliana I. Wilson, brother Lewis M. Irby and his wife, Audrey. He was predeceased by a sister Gertrude Irby Darsey and his parents, William W. Irby and Lillian H. Irby.
He will be truly missed by his family and the many friends he made during his life at school, work, church, through his civic work, on the golf course, fishing, camping, and traveling.
A memorial and celebration of his life will be held on Friday, November 14, 2008 at the First Baptist Church of Alachua at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Mr. Irby's honor are requested to be made to the First Baptist Church of Alachua, P.O. Box 97, Alachua, FL 32616 or the Alachua Lion's Club, 1386, Alachua, FL 32616.
Arrangements are under the care of Milam Funeral and Cremation Services [Gainesville].
- Last Edited: 13 Aug 2015