William Earl Kimbrel

William “Bill” Kimbrel (age 56) died peacefully at home after a nearly three-year battle with lung cancer. Bill was born in Hammond, Indiana, in 1969 to parents Wilbur and Janice Kimbrel. A daredevil in his own right, Bill was known throughout his childhood for death-defying stunts, including accidental pyrotechnics, makeshift lawn-chair bicycle ramps, and many emergency room visits.

Bill met his future wife, Renee (née Morrison), on a blind date in 1990, and they were married in 1991. In their younger years, a close-knit group of friends gathered regularly at each other’s houses to socialize and play cards. Bill loved to bowl, play pool, meet for poker games, and lounge in the swimming pool.

Bill and Renee became the proud parents of Shawn (born 1994) and Kasey (born 2001). You could always find Bill waiting outside at the conclusion of one of his children's performances or competitions, congratulating them with a “you did good, kid!” He loved being a parent more than anything, even accepting his children’s partners as his own kids.

Bill was a skilled handyman and was regularly working on several projects outside of his work as an electrician and carpenter. Bill always worked hard, and was employed by Diamond Threaded Products, Black Diamond Steel, Turrell Home Improvements, and AMST Kentucky Trailer. He curated a meticulously organized tool collection and was always on the phone with some family member or friend helping them troubleshoot some household or vehicular issue.

Bill, while notoriously a little gruff in attitude, was a ferociously loving man. He cherished his daily phone calls with his mom and weekly Sunday dinners at his mother and father’s house. At each family gathering, Bill was most likely to be found playing with his young nieces and nephews or in the yard with one of many family dogs. While he loved working on home-improvement projects, Bill loved quiet days at home. Given the choice, you likely would find Bill in front of the fireplace, covered in a warm-blanket, watching a Hallmark movie.

Bill was preceded in death by his father Wilbur Kimbrel; grandparents Thomas and Essie (née o’Brien) Kimbrel; great-niece Madison Grace Cast; parents-in-law Leroy and Shirley (née Marshall); and lifetime friend Brian Fisher. He is survived by his wife, Renee; son, Shawn (Chance); daughter, Kasey (Jared); mother, Janice; sisters, Linda (Mike) and Jenny (Kevin); brothers, Skip (Shelly), Mike (Becky), and Bobby (Jolea); and several beloved nieces and nephews. Bill will be dearly missed.

Memorial visitation with family and friends will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. until the time of a short memorial service beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Smits Funeral Home 2121 Pleasant Springs Lane, Dyer, IN. Memorials may be made according to the family’s wishes.