William J. Gaddis

William J. Gaddis, Sr., 73, of Owensboro passed away Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at Owensboro Medical Health System. Born in Owensboro, a son of the late Charles A. Gaddis, Sr. and Katie Baker Gaddis, Billy spent most of his career in the excavation business taking over the former Gaddis Excavating in 1984 and operating it as Billy Gaddis and Sons until his retirement in 1999. His retirement became semi-retirement as he opened and continued to operate Gaddis Earth Products. He was a member and past master of Ensor Masonic Lodge Number 729, a member of Rizpah Temple and the Owensboro Shrine Club, was active as a Shriner clown, and collected and restored vintage Schwinn bicycles. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Janice Sue Roach Gaddis, in 1997.

Billy is survived by his wife Linda Anderson Gaddis, with whom he had been for 16 years; his sons and daughters-in-law Tim and Barbara, Cary and Debbie, and Billy Joe and Robin,; his daughters and sons-in-law Tammy and Tony and Rashel and Charlie; his grandchildren, Timmy, Josh, Trae, Chelsea, Brennen, Ashlyn, Michael, Justin, and Hope; his great-grandson Carson; his brother Bobby; and his sister Darlene.

A tribute service for Billy will be at 4:00 p.m. Friday in the chapel of Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, where visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday and after 2:00 p.m. Friday. A Masonic service will be held 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.