Kirby Pines Retirement Community | The Pinecone

The Pinecone | November 2022 • 3 • New Resident Bios written by resident, Peggy Reynolds Gatlin Get to know Kirby Pines' Recently the Parks moved to Kirby Pines from their home in east Memphis. Married for over 61 years, they are the proud parents of a son and daughter and grandparents of five grandchildren and three great- grands. After going to the University of Memphis Bill had a 63 year career as a structural steel draftsman at U.S. Steel of America, Bridge Division and later on as self employed. Roylyn was secretary for the Memphis Chamber of Commerce. She maintained a booth at Antique Market of Cordova and at Kudzu in Germantown. She also sold on EBay for about 20 years. Aveteran, Bill served in the U. S.Air Force Reserve. He was an Airman 1st Class as an electronics technician. When Bill and Roylyn aren’t traveling, Roylyn enjoys gardening, reading, art, and ancestry while Bill enjoys sports, reading, woodworking and science. Their travel destinations include Canada, Prague, Vienna, Denmark, Russia, Sweden, Hawaii, and Jamaica. Since their son is a pastor in Dubai, they have visited there ten times. We are delighted to have the Parks as our new neighbors in Kirby Pines. With their interests and talents, they are a sure fit for our community. Give them a warm welcome! Bill & Roylyn Parks Parker & Ruth Nilsen Married for 53 years, the Nilsens have chosen Kirby Pines for the next chapter in their life. They moved from St. Louis, Missouri to be near their daughter, Kristen, a nurse at St. Jude. Parker and Ruth are brand new grandparents of their first grandchild, born recently. Their son, Tom, died at 25 of cancer. Three of Tom’s friends adopted the Nilsens as parents and they have been grandparents to nine adopted grandchildren and one adopted great- grand so they have had plenty of practice. Parker graduated from Taylor University with a B.A. Degree in Math and Chemistry. He had a 34 year career with SAFECO Insurance as HR manager. Ruth was an office manager and legal secretary for a law firm. AU. S. Army veteran, Parker was a special agent in the military intelligence. Woodworking is a hobby that Bill enjoys and Ruth plays the piano for pleasure. They are involved in Bible study and they are very active in volunteer work with “Friends of Kids With Cancer.” Welcome Parker and Ruth! We are elated you chose to make Kirby Pines your new home. We hope you make many new friends and get involved with our many activities soon. We’re looking forward to seeing around our beautiful campus! NEW RESIDENTS