Bill Kibbie was born in Bellevue, Idaho and completed his schooling in his hometown and Gannett. He attended the University of Idaho, playing frosh football, before leaving to pursue a career in construction.
First as a foreman for Sawtooth Electric in Hailey, then taking time out to become a bomber pilot in WW II. Leaving the Air Corps with the rank of Captain he returned as a civilian foreman with Idaho Power. Moving on to become superintendent for Deteweiler & Deteweiler in Twin Falls. In 1957 Kibbie founded his own company, the Jelco Co. Under his leadership this company has risen to be one of the tops in the country in heavy-duty construction.
Two supporting companies grew out of this venture, the EMKO Corp. and the Kibbie Co. Bill kept up his interest in aviation with single and multi-engine ratings for both conventional and jet engines. He has been honored for his advancement in aviation by Westminister College, Utah Pilots Assoc., and was honored when the Salt Lake Executive Air Terminal was dedicated in his name. His intense interest in education is shown in his support of colleges and universities in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho.
When Kibbie lost his son, a Wm. Patrick Kibbie memorial fund was set up for needy college students. A member of the U of I Alumni Hall of Fame, Kibbie also received an honorary Doctorate from Idaho. Bill Kibbie will always be remembered for his support in the construction of the ASUI-Kibbie Dome on the Idaho campus. Kibbie's wife Elizabeth passed away a few years ago and other children include a son Frederick and daughter, Carolyn.