by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
Recently, the Santiva Chronicle put out a call for nominations to highlight the wonderful people we have in our community who make our island a special place and a better place to live. We received several nominations and as part of this feature are writing about Billy Kirkland, a true Island Insider.
Kirkland has won numerous awards for his work in the community, including the Good Samaritan Award, the Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award, and Citizen of the Year from the Sanibel Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce. The list goes on.
Of course, that’s not why he does it.
Inspiration for his philosophy of giving back came from his mother who was a very good person and a hard worker, Kirkland said. It’s just what he was taught and it is ingrained in him. “Our generation, you worked and you gave back,” Kirkland said. “I grew up in four-room house with seven of us. I was on the receiving end of things from Goodwill and the foundations. That’s where I got my Christmas toys. It makes it nice to come full circle where I can turn around and do things for less fortunate people. It’s in my blood to be that person. This is what I do whether I get a pat on the back or not.”
Kirkland donates time, money, and bicycles to the Sanibel School, CROW, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and others. He does tractor work, helping to restore the island’s private roads and, more importantly, to help those individuals and businesses with challenges. From unloading A/C equipment for the church, storing and delivering chairs for the Community House, unloading furniture and drywall for FISH, to hauling off debris for residents, Billy’s “I can help” attitude has touched many people.
Born in 1952, Kirkland joined the Army two weeks after his 18th birthday, and headed for Vietnam. He returned in 1972 and came to Lee County, Florida, from his native Donaldsonville, Georgia, in 1977. He calls himself a “certified beach bum” – that is, a beach bum who has made a profession out of it. After moving his original operation on Ft. Myers Beach to Sanibel, Kirkland operated beach services and bike and boat rentals at Sundial Resort, Casa Ybel Resort, Westwind Inn, ‘Tween Waters, and the Sanibel Inn.
The desire to hang out his own shingle and serve the island as a whole led in 1999 to the creation of Billy’s Rentals on Periwinkle Way. He opened a second shop in Bailey’s Center, which was destroyed, and also operates a warehouse off San Carlos Boulevard in the Iona area.
From 25 employees before Hurricane Ian, Kirkland now has 12 employees, all of whom have been with him an average of 20 years. He has even dedicated some properties he owns behind his Periwinkle Way shop for use as affordable employee housing. After Ian, he converted part of the warehouse into a living space not only for his family but for an employee who needed shelter.
Said employee Robin Ramming, who has been with Kirkland since 1980, “He has a great heart. I’ve never met anyone like him. He would do anything to help anyone.” And he’s not the only employee who feels that way. Employee Clare Harris said Kirkland is “a pillar in the community.”
Wife and partner Salli Kirkland, married since 1999, said Kirkland worked hard to re-open his business. “He knew being open would not be a profitable venture without a stable tourist base,” Salli said. “He opened instead to restore a sense of normalcy and to show faith in an all-island recovery.”
Kirkland said his business is “doing okay” now but that he wonders what summer is going to look like. How long can businesses sustain themselves, he asked. “That’s why a lot of merchants have not come back even though they’re ready to come back.” Kirkland thinks it will probably be a minimum of another two to three years before Sanibel is back to even 80 percent of its pre-hurricane status.
As far as his own future is concerned, Kirkland said he’s going to keep going as long as he can. “I’m not a retirement person. We’ve looked at selling the business, but before I’d sell the business to someone, I’d want to really vet that person and make sure they have the good of the island at heart,” Kirkland said.
What worries Kirkland is who will be there to step up and replace people like Sam and Francis Bailey, and Billy himself? “I had a very good relationship or connection with Sam and Francis, and I saw what they did. How can you replace them? Sanibel’s had some great people, but leaders are leaving. There are so many people on this island, but so many of us are getting older.” Still, said Kirkland, he’s optimistic about it. “There’ll be somebody,” he said. “There will be some changes, but Sanibel will be Sanibel.”
Kirkland’s advice now is to tell people to come to Sanibel. “Sanibel is open and welcomes business,” he said. “It’s not the Sanibel you know, but it’s coming back, and it’s going to come back strong.” And to islanders, he said pay attention to the visitors and be more patient. “Take a breath, relax, and enjoy the tropical island.”
Words from a certified beach bum.