Obituary of Hugh Kirkley

LUGOFF – A funeral service for Hugh Kirkley, 90, will be held on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. at Powers Funeral Home with a visitation 1hr prior. Burial will follow the service in Quaker Cemetery. The Rev. Derrick Proctor will officiate. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Shriner Children’s Hospital.

    Mr. Kirkley, husband of the late Betty Ray Kirkley, passed away on Thursday, November 11, 2021. Born in McBee, he was the son of the late Julius Kirkley and Ola Hunter Kirkley. Mr. Kirkley served in the US Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He retired from DuPont and then became chief pilot for Builders Transport. 

    Mr. Kirkley was honored by the Disabled American Veterans as a Bronze Leader as one of America's most loyal and generous supporters who has never forgotten the price paid for freedom.  He was recognized in the aviation community as the Southeastern flight instructor of the year.  He was the past commissioner of the Camden Airport.  He was a life member of Kershaw Lodge #29 and a member of Jamil Shrine.

    He loved flying and being a flight instructor, traveling with his family, but most of all spending time with his family  and grandchildren and going to watch his grandson play baseball at Wofford.

    Surviving are his children, Scott Kirkley (Tammy), Rip Kirkley (Cindy), and Dawn Kirkley Barnes; grandchildren, Shane Kirkley (Annah), Meagan Kirkley, R.J. Kirkley (Nicole), Kyle Kirkley, and T.J. Barnes; 4 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Judy Tiller and Gladys Hodges. He was predeceased by his son-in-law, Timmy Barnes; siblings, Lawson Kirkley, Drew Kirkley, Judson Kirkley, and Grace Plyler.