William Dale "Bill" Kurts, 84, of Columbia, died Wednesday, August 23, 2017. Born August 3, 1933 in Memphis, TN, he was a son of the late John L. Kurts, Sr. and Iva Harvell Kurts. Growing up in Memphis, a junior high group formed the "Friday Night Club" and became a tight group of life-long friends. They helped create humorous nicknames for Bill such as Bubba, Red, Spots, and Catfish, some of which are still used today.

Following high school, Bill, joined the US Navy serving 4 years in the Panama Canal Zone. When he left the Navy he began working in the cotton business. He later worked in the insurance industry, and Dale Carnegie Sales and Instruction in Memphis and Nashville. He moved to Columbia in 1979 with Walt Farrow and Associates, Dale Carnegie Sales and Instruction working with companies and individuals in South Carolina. Later in life Bill developed a love for golf, playing frequently at Columbia Country Club and Fort Jackson Golf Club.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Barbara Coleman Kurts; son, William A Kurts of Elgin, SC; daughter, Milinda Kurts; granddaughter, Aubree Kurts; and sister, Mabel J. Kurts all of Franklin, TN. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Wanetta Chambers Kurts; son, William Jeffrey Kurts; brother and sister-in-law, John L. Jr. and Margaret Kurts.

The funeral service for Mr. Kurts will be held 10 o'clock, Monday, August 28th at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, with The Rev. Dan Graves officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 9 o'clock. Interment with military honors will follow in Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Memories and condolences may be shared at ShivesFuneralHome.com.