A graveside service for W.L. Kite, age 78, of Brownwood, will be held at 2:30 PM, Sunday in the Indian Creek Cemetery under the direction of Heartland Funeral Home.  Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday evening from 6:00 until 8:00.

Mr. Kite passed away in his sleep Wednesday, March 21, 2018 after a long illness.

Born in Spur, Texas on December 7, 1939, growing up in Brownwood and graduating from Brownwood High School, he was a lifelong resident. After working in the oil field at a young age, he was employed by Santa Fe Railway until a vehicle accident left him paralyzed from the stomach down in 1965. Not one to be held back by mere circumstances, he learned the skill of watch and clock repair and the art of making jewelry. He opened a small store on Austin Ave and ran Kite Jewelry until his retirement in 2007. He was a loving husband of 51 years and having 4 sons, he was the most incredible father that taught his boys how to work on vehicles, plumb houses, play baseball and a myriad of life skills. He showed by example how work hard, run a business and treat people and customers with respect and kindness. He was a devoted Christian and is now home and walking pain free in the presence of God.

W.L. is survived by his wife of 51 years, Shirley Kite; Children, Walan Kite and wife Vicki of Brownwood, Sherrill Darby and wife Kim of Plano, James Darby and wife Deborah of Early; a brother Jody Kite of Abilene; grandchildren, Brandi Kite, Tiffany Kite, Marcus Corona, Derrick Darby, Ryan Corona, Skye Darby, Taylor Hamilton, Lauren Hamilton and numerous great-grandchildren.

W.L. was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Jewel Kite; Brothers, Jack Kite and wife Joyce, Joe Wallace, William ‘Bill’ Kite, Gilbert Kite, Ray Kite and wife Betty, and a son Jeffery L. Kite.

Condolences, memories and tributes can be offered to the family online at heartlandfuneralhome.net