Billy Wayne Kilgore, 85, Fort Wayne, died at 5:39 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, 2015, at St. Joseph Hospital, Fort Wayne where he had been a patient for the past week.

He was born Nov. 22, 1930, in McRoberts, Ky., a son of the late Stanley V. and Mary L. (Sturgill) Kilgore. His formative years were spent in Kentucky until the family moved to Columbia City when he entered the eighth grade. He graduated from Columbia City High School in 1949.

On Oct. 5, 1949, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was a Korean War Veteran honorably discharged Oct. 4, 1952. On Sept. 8, 1962, he was united in marriage to Anna I. Armstrong. They have always made their home in Fort Wayne.

He retired in 1995 from Eddie Stemen Alignment and Brake. His work career included Bowser Pump, the Nickel Plate Railroad, Baer Field, Smith Field and Stedman Studios. He also operated his own freelance photography business. He was an avid Kentucky Wildcats basketball fan and enjoyed Cleveland Indians baseball. He also followed football and enjoyed golf and photography. He will be remembered by his family and friends as a master storyteller.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years: Ann; two daughters: Connie Kilgore, Orland Park, Ill.; and Vickie (Larry Holish) Kilgore, Bartlett, Ill.; grandchildren: Jane and Ben Holish; three sisters: Una Rondeau, Janesville, Wis.; Elizabeth Sponangle, Columbia City; Emma Spink, Albion; and a large loving extended family. He was preceded in death by a brother: Robert Kilgnore; and four sisters: Barbara Kilgore; Margaret Linette Guenther; Mary Jeanette Bowling; and Rita McElroy.

The funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23, at Smith and Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial will be in South Park Annex Cemetery. The visitation was from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana.