William Hale Niceley

William Hale Niceley, 87, of Owensboro went to be with his Lord Thursday, April 16, 2009 at the Owensboro Medical Health System. Born June 12, 1921 in Livia, KY, he was the son of the late Herbert and Jessie Hale Niceley; attended Western Kentucky University; and worked at the Evansville Shipyard building the LST WW II landing craft. In 1945, he began employment at the Department of Economic Security in Owensboro retiring in July 1986. Mr. Niceley was raised on a farm and enjoyed outdoor activities all his life, especially his gardens, yard work, hunting, and his cats. He was a Kentucky Colonel.

He was a long time member of Walnut Memorial Baptist Church where he was a Deacon for 50 years and had a special gift for helping others. He was known for visiting his church family, taking friends to church, and sharing food with others. Each week he would visit local groceries collecting food for distribution to shelters and soup kitchens. He and his sister, Madeline, loved returning to Greenbriar Baptist Church for homecomings and reunions. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Mildred Niceley.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Cota Marcella Muffett Niceley; a son, William Hale Niceley (and Tod Johnston) of Wilton Manors, Fl; daughters, Phyllis (Cliff) Saalwachter and Sarah (Robert) Howard of Owensboro, and Marcella (William) Fulkerson of Evansville; grandchildren, Jenny Garris, Bobby Howard, and Christy Howard of Owensboro, and Sandra Funk and William L. Fulkerson, Jr. of Newburgh; great-grandchildren, Michael Funk of Evansville, and Samantha Funk, Alexandria Myers, and Lillian Grace Fulkerson of Newburgh; a sister, Madeline Niceley of Owensboro; a brother, Warren Niceley of Adrian, MI; nine nieces and nine nephews.

Services are 2 p.m. Monday, April 20, 2009 at Walnut Memorial Baptist Church with entombment following in Rosehill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-5 Sunday at Glenn Funeral Home and after noon Monday at the church.

Online condolences may be left at www.glennfuneralhome.com.