William J. Kimball PhD, or Bill as we knew him, recently departed this life at the age of 87 in Lansing, Michigan on May 24, 2013.  He was born on October 6, 1925 to Elmer and Gladys Kimball in Seymour, Wisconsin.

Bill worked for 39 years as a professor at Michigan State University and as an Extension Specialist in community and organizational development. He authored numerous studies on the value of citizen input and action in our communities.

He was a tireless advocate for historic barn preservation and facilitated the creation and growth of many state and local barn groups as well as the National Barn Alliance. Bill was one of just a few Cornerstone members of the NBA and has supported our organization since its earliest days in the mid-1990s.  We will all miss the incredible insight and experience Bill brought to the NBA’s Board of Directors.

Those desiring to contribute in William’s name may do so to the American Heart Association Memorials and Tributes Lockbox, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674 or the Meridian Historical Village, 5151 Marsh Rd., Okemos, MI 48864.

The NBA would also like to encourage those who knew Bill and his work with historic barns to leave thoughts and comments below.   Bill certainly made our community a better place to be… Please help us say goodbye to a great friend of old barns.