Bill Kimmel RIP
 

Obituary
William “Bill” Kimmel Sr., 91, of Jeffersonville, IN , passed away on July 30, 2020 surrounded by his family.

A car processional visitation will be held from 12 to 7 PM on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at Scott Funeral Home, 2515 Veterans Parkway, Jeffersonville. A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday at Walnut Ridge Cemetery Mausoleum in Jeffersonville.

Bill was born on September 13, 1928 in Louisville, KY, and graduated from Hardinsburg High School, before serving his country in the United States Army. He retired from United Technology in 1988 and joined his sons at Kimmel Auto Parts and Kimmel Racing.

He served as President of Clarksville School Board, a Kentucky Colonel, and a member of the Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame.

Bill Kimmel Sr., a three-time winner in the ARCA Menards Series in the 1970s, father of series veterans and champions Bill and Frank Kimmel and grandfather of current drivers Will and Frankie Kimmel, Bill drove his first race in 1949 at Sportsdrome Speedway in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and raced for a living from the 1950s through the 1980s, winning more than 500 feature races and 12 track championships throughout the Midwest. In addition to driving in MARC/ARCA Series races for four decades, he was a consistent winner in the rough and tumble open wheel sprint cars of that time period.

Bill Sr.’s son, Thom, and grandson, Shane, followed in his footsteps and were also successful race drivers.

Survivors include his six children, Thom Kimmel and wife Cathy, Highland, IN, Penny Henderson and husband Don, McDonough, GA, Bill Kimmel and wife Pam, Sellersburg, IN, Jamie Upchurch and husband Mike, Pensacola, FL, Kimberly Meadors and husband Larry, Jeffersonville, IN, and Frank Kimmel and wife Donna, Sherrills Ford, NC; 18 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. He will be missed by many family and friends, including Mike, Rita, Linda, and his beloved cat, Stanley.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 52 years, Mabel Kimmel; parents, William Frank and Catherine Kimmel; daughter, Patty Zahnd; grandson, Norman Lantrip; granddaughter, Brook Deatrick; and his five sisters.

Memorial contributions can be made in his memory to Bill Kimmel Sr.’s Young Racer’s Safety Fund. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

That car processional should have race car’s in it! Rip Mr Kimmel

I remember watching Bill Kimmel racing at Salem in ARCA races in the late 60’s/early 70’s. As I recall, he ran Chevy’s #69.

Re: Bill Kimmel RIP
 

Bil Kimmel at Salem in the Rebel Spl.

Re: Bill Kimmel RIP
 

The Kimmel's are a great racing family. i had the honor of selling Mr Kimmel parts in the 90's when he had a vintage car at Louisville. Man was he cool. RIP my friend.

Rich M

I remember seeing him race for the first time at a 500-lap ARCA race at Flat Rock Speedway in Michigan in 1965. He was true, dedicated racer.