William Michael Girby Sr.

William Michael (Daddy, Poppy, PawPaw, Grub, Uncle Buck) Girby, Sr. was born in Mobile, AL on February 17th, 1943, and passed on to his Heavenly home on June 26th, 2023. His family was part of the “old” farming community of Mobile for which Girby Road is named after. He attended Murphy High School as a member of the Baby Boomer generation and had the distinction of being a part of the Class of 1961, the largest graduating class in Murphy history at 1,211. He was proud to always mention that his was the only class that you could turn the year upside down and it still read the same. From there, he went on to the school of hard knocks, beginning his nearly 50 year career in flooring installation. His work can be seen in many iconic Mobile buildings such as Merchants Plaza, The Admiral Semmes, The Van Antwerp Building, The Battlehouse Hotel, Bel Aire Mall, Springdale Mall, and so many more that it would take nearly a lifetime to account for. He would continue his family’s tradition of farming in the afternoons after his flooring work ended and on the weekends alongside his two brothers and their families. He passed these traditions on to his children and grandchildren, times that he would reminisce over as some of his fondest memories.

He was an irreplaceable, loving, and caring husband, father, grandfather, and father figure to all the lives he touched. His light will be sorely missed.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Mary Lou Girby, his parents, Marshall A. Girby, Sr. and Grace Girby, his brothers, Marshall A. Girby, Jr. (and spouse, Mona Girby) and Leslie W. Girby, and Grandson, Connor Girby Kelly.

He is survived by his three Children (and their spouses), William Michael (Mike) Girby, Jr. (Joy Girby), Spring Girby Kelly (Richard Kelly), and Erin Joy Girby Pugh (Michael Pugh, Sr.); Grandchildren, Anne Elizabeth Girby, William Thomas Girby, Brantley Warren Pugh, David Hamilton (spouse, Summer Hamilton), Alex Hamilton, Kourtney Pugh Davis (spouse, Nathan Davis), Michael Pugh, Jr.; Great Grandchildren, Maverick Hamilton, Everleigh Paige Davis, Saylor Anne Davis; Nephews, Marshall (Tanny) A. Girby, III (spouse, Theresa Girby, Great Niece, Claire Girby) and Leslie W. Girby, II (Great Nieces, Grace Girby Sheffield (spouse, Matthew Sheffield) and Emma Girby)

The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 29th, from 5-8 p.m. at the Chapel, Pine Crest Cemetery. Funeral services will be on Friday, June 30th, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. and services at 11 a.m. at the Chapel, Pine Crest Cemetery. Interment will follow at Pine Crest Cemetery.