August 24, 1943-June 15, 2026

William Garland “Bill” Ivey Jr. passed away on June 15, 2026 surrounded by the love of his family. Born on August 24, 1943 in Houston, Texas, Bill spent his formative years growing up in Galveston and Texas City.

Bill attended Lamar University, beginning a long and accomplished career in the marine transportation industry. His professional journey spanned decades and included leadership roles that helped shape the industry he devoted his life to. He came to Kirby Corporation through the acquisition of Alamo Inland Marine in 1989, where he served as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing until 2011. In 2014, he became President of Kirby Inland Marine and the Marine Transportation Group, concluding a distinguished career marked by leadership, loyalty, and lasting professional relationships.

The measure of Bill’s life was not found in the positions he held, but in the people who loved him. His family was his greatest pride.

Bill met the love of his life, Sandra Leigh Jones, on a dance floor. Dancing quickly became one of their favorite pastimes, and what began with a dance blossomed into a remarkable love story that spanned more than 60 years of marriage. Together they built a life rooted in faith, friendship, family, and unwavering devotion to one another. Through every move, every career change, every success and challenge, Sandra was his partner and best friend. Their family often reflected on Sandra’s words: “Our faith, family, and friends are what life is all about.” Those words became the foundation upon which they built their lives.

Bill was loving, supportive and dependable as a father to Randy and Krista. He was present  for them through all of life seasons. Randy enjoyed joining him in fishing, hunting, and other sports. Some of his favorite memories were fall weekends traveling to the deer lease after football games, waking up early for hunts and making the drive back home before Monday. Randy has been thankful to have spent time with him over the past 5 years, including many McDonald’s breakfasts. Krista said her dad was her biggest fan. He was always present and supportive in whatever she was doing. He believed she could do anything and showed her what a loving loyal husband and father looked like through his actions and unconditional love. He was her hero and she will forever miss him.

To his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Bill was simply Pops. He was the one they could count on. He was steady, dependable, and always present. He attended ballgames, school events, celebrations, and milestones both big and small. He loved family gatherings, tolerated countless sleepovers, and could always be counted on to ask when dinner would be ready before settling comfortably into his favorite spot. The simplest moments often became the most cherished memories.

Some of Bill’s happiest days were spent outdoors. He loved fishing, hunting and golfing with his son, son-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and lifelong friends. He was also a devoted Astros fan and looked forward each year to attending Astros Spring Training with his work friends, creating friendships and memories that lasted a lifetime.

Bill possessed a lifelong competitive spirit. He played baseball growing up and later focused on basketball and tennis in high school. Throughout adulthood, he remained active in men’s softball leagues, competitive racquetball, and golf. His love of baseball extended beyond the field as he spent many years coaching Pony Colt and American Legion baseball. He was known as a disciplined coach who expected effort, accountability, and excellence, but beneath that tough exterior was a man who genuinely cared about the young people he coached. Many former players remained in touch with him for decades, often stopping by just to visit—a reflection of the lasting impact he made on their lives.

A devoted man of faith, Bill served faithfully within his church community as a trustee and member of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee. His faith was not simply something he believed—it was something he lived. In a meaningful reaffirmation of that faith, Bill chose to be baptized again as an adult, publicly renewing his commitment to Christ and to a life of service. His church family was an important part of his life, and he found great purpose in serving others.

Those who knew Bill best often described him with the same words Sandra used when speaking about him: friend, leader, dignified, caring, humble, inspiring, sincere, friendly, kind, respected, genuine, honest, and a servant of God. He was a man of integrity whose actions spoke louder than words. He led by example, loved without condition, and quietly made those around him feel valued and supported.

Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Sandra Leigh Jones Ivey; his parents, Evelyn Copple, Leonard Copple, William G Ivey; and his brother who he talked to almost daily, Stan Ivey.

He is survived by so many who loved him deeply: his son, Randy Ivey and wife Toni Tagliarino; his daughter, Krista Johnson and husband Randy Johnson; and the grandchildren and great grandchildren Heather Ballard and husband Brian Ballard, and their children Landon and Caroline Ballard; Hunter Ivey and wife Kelsey Ivey; Dr. Hayden Ivey and wife Dr. Jordy Geiler; Madelyn Vitolo and husband Cole Vitolo, and their children Palmer and Beau Vitolo; Jacob Johnson; and Meredith Johnson. He is also survived by additional family members who held a special place in his heart, including Lisa Ivey-Liverman and husband Stephen Liverman, the Caroline Ivey family, Vicki and Bill Lehner, and Jennifer and Colin LaForge and family, the Hampton family and the Dupuis family.

Above all, Bill’s greatest accomplishment was the family he loved so fiercely. He leaves behind a legacy not measured by titles or achievements, but by the lives he touched, the values he instilled, and the generations who will carry his example forward.

The family finds comfort knowing Bill is now reunited in Heaven with his bride Sandra, the love of his life. After nearly four years apart, they are together again—perhaps sharing another dance.

Pallbearers will include Hunter Ivey, Hayden Ivey, Jacob Johnson, Brian Ballard, Landon Ballard, and Cole Vitolo.

Friends and family are cordially invited to the funeral service on Saturday, June 20, 2026, with visitation from 10:00-11:00AM and the service beginning at 11:00AM at Alvin Methodist Church, 611 W. South Street Alvin, TX 77511. Interment will follow at Confederate Cemetery, 998 Dickinson Rd Alvin, TX 77511.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bill’s memory to the Ivey Essentials Pantry at First Methodist Church of Alvin.