KIRKLAND, William Hugh

Arizona Republic (Phoenix AZ) Friday, June 20, 2008, p B6 William Hugh Kirkland was born November 25, 1923 and passed away Saturday morning, June 14, 2008. He is survived by daughter Karen of Mesa, sisters Patricia Owen of Phoenix, Zona Pennington of California and Nadine Coscarrat of Benson, AZ. He was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Doris, son Keith, parents Hugh and Ruth Kirkland, sisters Ella Brown and Anne Murphy, as well as brother Wayne Kirkland. He enjoyed his dog Checkers, his rose garden and spending time with his family. William worked in many different areas for Mountain Bell, now known as Qwest from 1949-1983. He served in the Army on the 780th Amphibious Tank Battalion in the Southern Philippines from 2/43-1/46. William was the grandson of one of Arizona's earliest pioneers. His grandfather, William Hudson Kirkland, was the father of the first white child born in Phoenix. His grandparents were also the first white couple to be married in the state of Arizona. The town of Kirkland and Kirkland Junction was named for him. He came to the territory in 1855 and was one of the small band of Americans who first hoisted the Stars and Stripes in Tucson. He located the town of Tempe and named the place San Pablo, but on having it surveyed, the name was changed to Tempe. William was very proud of his Arizona heritage and had a great love of the State of Arizona. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 20th at 10am with the service to follow at 11am at Greenwood Memory Lawn Mortuary, 719 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85009.