William P. Hayden, Jr.

William P. Hayden, Jr., 91, of Owensboro, passed away on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at Wellington Parc. He was born October 26, 1933 in Beech Grove, Kentucky to the late William Proctor and Alice Montgomery Hayden and grew up in West Louisville. Bill was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in the Korean Conflict and the Navy Reserves. Aboard the U.S.S. Cassin Young, he served as a Machinist Mate and completed a world tour. He went to night school on the G.I. bill, earning his degree from Brescia College while working at General Electric. Bill retired as an Internal Revenue Service Agent. He worked for the University of Kentucky Farm Tax School, for Benny Clark Homebuilders (where he would do any job but paint), volunteered at Dream Riders, and drove busses for Owensboro Catholic High School. 

 Bill was a devout member of Blessed Mother Catholic Church, where he was on the burgoo cooking team, worked bereavement dinners, RCIA and wherever he was needed. He was an active member of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. He worked numerous Cursillos, Koinonias, and Walks to Emmeus. He was a dedicated blood donor, giving more than 15 gallons of blood.

 Bill was very proud of his family. He loved family gatherings, especially when they involved food and enjoyed family vacations. He was often found fixing things, woodworking, raising a vegetable garden and swinging on his porch.

 Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Martha Ann Clark Hayden; a sister, Alice Potter; two sons-in-law, Rick Long and Bob Lawrence; a granddaughter, Mary Kay; and a great-grandson, Isaac. 

 Surviving are six daughters, Judy Long of Lexington, Pat (Roger) Frederick of Henderson, Ann (David) Blanford of Owensboro, Janice (Chris) Hendricks of Reynolds Station, Rose (Meichele) Hayden of Columbia, Missouri, and Carol Lawrence of Jacksonville, Florida; two sons, Joe (Lynn) Hayden of Stillwater, Oklahoma and Paul (Michelle) Hayden of Louisville; 16 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and one great great grandson; and three sisters, Nancy Hayden of Arizona, Mary Helen (Rick) Gage of Washington, and Cathy (Tom) Snyder of Tennessee.

 Bill’s family is grateful to the staffs at Carmel Home and Wellington Parc for their loving care and to the many therapists who worked with him.

 A Funeral Mass will be 10 AM Monday, December 2, at Blessed Mother Catholic Church. Entombment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery Mausoleum. Visitation will be Sunday, December 1, from 2 PM until 6 PM at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, with prayers at 6 PM, and on Monday from 9 AM until time of the service at Blessed Mother.

 Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society at Blessed Mother Catholic Church, to Dream Riders, or to the charity of your choice. Messages and condolences to the family can be shared at www.glenncares.com.