Henry Wesley Kirkland, Sr. was born on January 13, 1923. He attended the University of South Carolina School of Law and received a B.S. and LL.B. degree.
He was admitted to the Bar in 1951 and practiced law for 49 years with the firm of Kirkland Aaron and Alley.
He was a member of the American Bar Association, the South Carolina Bar and the Richland and Lexington County Bar Associations. He served as United States Magistrate and in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. He was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church Council, a Sunday School teacher, Pacific Lodge, Jamil Temple, YMCA and American Legion Post #6.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia M. Kirkland and four children: Leslie Kirkland Riddle, Henry Wesley Kirkland, Jr., Waitus Keith Kirkland and William Dargan “Bill” Kirkland.