June 2013 - Allegheny West Magazine

Lloyd H. Kirk was born on July 6, 1916, the son of Henry and
Laura Kirk. He was the founder and owner of Kirk’s Auto Body
shop, located in Noblestown. He started the business with his
best friend, Duane Allen, prior to going off to serve in World War
ABOVE: The Kirk family, front, Lloyd Kirk and Wilma Kirk; back, Carole
(Ron) Soubie, Terri (John) Watson, Dale Kirk, and Kathi (Jim) Martin, who
passed away on May 9, 2013.
II, then returned home and back to the business. Kirk’s Auto Body
was known as one of the longest existing businesses in the area.
At first there was not enough business, so he supplemented his
income by driving a school bus. He persevered and steadily
increased his business. The business lasted until he was 88 years
old, when he suffered a stroke. The day Lloyd got sick, his
daughter, Terry Watson recalls, “we had to call three customers
to cancel their appointments.”
She said, “ He loved his job - there were many nights you
could ride by and still see his lights on down there past 10 p.m.
after opening up at 7 a.m.”
Kirk’s Auto Body shop was also a meeting place for some of
the neighbors – they enjoyed watching him work while they
stood around and got caught up on the gossip around town.
Terry fondly remembers her father’s work ethic. She said that
his business kept growing and when it did, he would hire
temporary help, noting that he still did not want to get too big.
“He liked the small man business. He always gave his
customers a very professional job; one he was proud of doing
for them,” she added.
There were times people asked for favors and he would do it
for them and not get paid. He didn’t complain. He felt that it
was part of the payback for their continued loyalty to him.
The amazing thing, Terry noted, is that he ran this successful
business for over 60 years without a telephone, cell phone, or
computer.
“Can you even imagine that nowadays” she said.
Lloyd’s wife Wilma, (who survives him – she’ll be 94 soon )
was his personal secretary. She kept his books for him and took
phone calls at their residence. She would jump in the car and
drive to the shop to deliver any urgent messages to him. They
were married for 68 years.
Being raised in such a family, with good work ethics and
loyalty to customers, has been the pleasure of his children –
Dale Kirk, the late Kathi Martin, Carole Soubie, and Terri
Watson.
ABOVE: Noah, Abbie, Rachel, and Emma. PHOTO BY FRANK VILSACK
What started as a holiday photo shoot of the four Wilson
siblings, then ranging in age from four to 11, became the cover
for the December, 2002 issue of Allegheny West Magazine. It
quickly became one of the most popular covers
over time. Over the years, residents
would ask about those “adorable
little redheads” that were on the
cover. Randy and Michelle Wilson of
Clinton are the proud parents of those
four siblings, whom are now all grown.
Left to right, meet Noah, now age 14
and a freshman at West Allegheny next
year. Then there’s Abbie, age 15, who
will be a sophomore at West Allegheny.
Next is Rachel, age 19, now a nursing
student at CCAC, and then there is
Emma, 16, who will be a senior at West
Allegheny.
Most would agree that these redheads
are still as photogenic as ever, even 11
years later.