WILLIAM L. "BILL"KITCHENS – 76 -

PLANT CITY - William L. "Bill" Kitchens of Plant City, Florida went home to be with the Lord on October 6, 2013 as a result of cancer. He was born in Lakeland on January 17, 1937 to the late Ruth and John Kitchens, Sr.

 Bill was a Gideon and a Mason. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at Camp Gilead Cabin 2 and was a long time member of Plant City's First Baptist Church. He served in the Army Reserves. He retired from Publix in 1998 as the Director of Construction after 42 years of service. He enjoyed his career and appreciated the opportunity Mr. George Jenkins gave him to work for such a great company. He enjoyed working on his land, building, traveling, playing golf and the piano. Bill 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 was preceded in death by his first wife Annette Kitchens; daughter Sherry Lynn Kitchens; and sisters Pat Fleckenstein and Kathryn Kitchens.  >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. A Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at Plant City's First Baptist Church, 503 N. Palmer Street, Plant City, where the family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 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 Rd., 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 Street, Plant City, FL. 33563. - Ledger, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013