William E. "Bill" Burnette, 65, of Versailles, husband of Connie (Kelly) Burnette, died Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009, at the St. Joseph Hospice Care Center in Lexington of kidney cancer.

The son of the late W.P. "Dub" and Corinne Burnette, he was born in Martin, Tenn., and grew up in Fulton, Ky. As a boy, he spent much of his time on his family’s farm and earned many awards showing dairy cattle at 4-H events and at the Kentucky State Fair. In high school, he excelled in sports and eventually earned a football scholarship to the University of Kentucky, where he played as a freshman. He graduated from Murray State University in 1966 with a BS in history and agriculture. In 1967, he earned a master’s degree from Murray in education. He stayed at Murray to direct the University’s Special Collections Division where for four years he supervised the university’s collection, collation and cataloging of primary research materials. In 1973, he was appointed executive director of the Governor’s Council on Agriculture, where he served for two years. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed him state director of the Farmer’s Home Administration, where he served until 1981. In the 1970s, he briefly served as deputy commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. In the 1990s, he returned to the department, where he served many years as director of the Office of Environmental Outreach. He was a passionate Kentucky fan and an avid golfer.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, William Brian (Amy) Burnette, New Albany, Ind.; two grandchildren, Jill Nicole and William Edward (Teddy); a sister, Ruth Ann (Fred) Fahl, Fulton; and six nieces and their families. A sister, Jean C. Burnette; and a brother, George E. Burnette, are deceased.

Services were conducted Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Clark Legacy Center, Nicholasville. Burial was in the Rose Crest Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Southside Christian Church, 3621 Cabin Hill Lane, Versailles, KY 40383 or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Condolences may be made at www.clarklegacycenter.com.

Billy Joe "Papaw" Clark Sr., 69, of Lexington, husband of Margaret Clark, died Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009.

Born in Woodford County, he was the son of the late Rosa Lee and Joe Brown Clark. He was retired from the Lexington Fire Department and owned Bill’s Sealing and Striping.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Billy (Lori) Clark Jr.; two daughters, Terry Clark, Versailles, and Karen (Chris) Begley, Nicholasville; a stepson, Joseph (Misty) Justice, Lexington; nine grandchildren, Nicole Blevins, Shaun Clark, Travis Crouch, Tierra Clark, Christopher Begley, Seth Clark, Caitlyn Begley, Noah Justice, and Isaac Justice; four great-grandchildren, Madison Blevins, Felicity Clark, Dylan Blevins and Maxwell Rosel; one step-grandchild, Ali Valentine; and numerous nieces and nephews. A sister, Ruby Vanhooser, and two brothers, Gene Clark and Earl Clark, are deceased.

Services were conducted Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, Harrodsburg Road, Lexington. Burial was in Bluegrass Memorial Gardens. His grandsons served as casket bearers.

Johnny Estes, 67, of Richmond, died Monday, Sept. 21, 2009, at the St. Joseph Hospice Care Center, Lexington.

A native of Madison County, he was the son of the late John and Mary Earl Anderson Estes. He was the retired owner of Estes Auctions.

Survivors include two daughters, Johnna Gail Estes, Versailles, and Donna Lois Estes Antebi, California; a brother, Charlie Estes, Florida; and three grandchildren, Stephen Estes and Stephanie and Sophia Antebi, all of California.

Services are pending at Clark Legacy Center, Nicholasville.

Dale Patrick Haight, 35, of Lexington, died Monday, Sept. 21, 2009.

Born in Versailles, he was the son of John "Hoppy" and Caroline "Pat" Wade Haight. He grew up on Steele’s Run Farm in Lexington where he most recently lived in a log cabin that he restored. He was a graduate of Dunbar High School, where he was a goalie on the varsity soccer team. A graduate of Somerset Community College, he was a certified airplane mechanic, and was a coppersmith and pursued a career as a contractor, installing copper roofs and gutters. He enjoyed boating, skiing and traveling.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by five brothers and sisters, Lajuanda Jo (Jon) Haight-Maybriar, John O’Leary (April) Haight, Patricia H. Lopez-Bautista, Jose H. Lopez-Bautista, and Elvia H. Lopez-Bautista; his maternal grandmother, Caroline Wade, and numerous cousins.

A memorial service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at First Baptist Church, Lexington. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the service. The W.R. Milward Mortuary, Broadway, is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Girl Scouts of Kentucky-Wilderness Road Council.

Elizabeth "Bettye Deane" Grant Jones, 84, of Owensboro, died Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009, at The Carmel Home, Owensboro.

Born in Owensboro, she was the daughter of the late Ivo Albert Grant and Sarah Cecilia Manning Grant. She, along with her husband, Harold Dean Jones, owned Harold’s Economy Cleaners, and operated it for 33 years until Harold’s death in 1990. She was a graduate of St. Francis Academy and a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. She enjoyed music, dancing, bridge, and the occasional game of poker.

Survivors include six children, Suzanne Lee (Larry), Elaine Mills (Mike), Dean Jones (Tina), and Becky Mitchell (Marty), all of Owensboro, Russ Jones (Kim), Woodstock, Ga., and Dr. Teela Watts (Stanley), Versailles; 20 grandchildren, Nicole Moss, Katherine Sims, Amanda Dikici, Ginny Ward, Mollie Mills, Maggie Thompson, Sarah Jones, Maggie Jones, Laura Jones, Rachel Jones, Mary Jones, Beth Merchant, Andrew Mitchell, Jody Mitchell, Russell Jones, Nick Jones, Lizie Jones, Megan Watts, Harry Watts, and Jane Watts; 12 great-grandchildren, Michael, Sarah, Lauren, Chloe, Mary Claire, Nicholas, Gracie, Cale, Maggie Beth, Aisha, Sophia, and Joseph; and three sisters, Sallie Johnson, Eleanor Whitaker, and Lucille Wilson, all of Owensboro. Six brothers and six sisters are deceased.

Services were conducted Saturday, Sept. 19, at Immaculate Catholic Church, Owensboro. Burial was in Mater Dolorosa Cemetery. Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, Owensboro, was in charge of arrangements.

Contributions may be made to The Carmel Home, 2501 Old Hartford Road, Owensboro, KY 42303.

Condolences may be made at www.glennfuneralhome.com.

Ruby Lane Lanier, 82, of Versailles, died Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, at the St. Joseph Hospice Care Center, Lexington.

She was the daughter of the late Everett and Sally Rogers Lane.

Survivors include three daughters, Sharon Giles, Versailles, Sonnie Brough, Lawrenceburg, and Lois Fetters, Cincinnati Ohio; a son, Pete K. Giles III, Lawrenceburg; 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren. A son, Michael Everett Lanier, is deceased.

Services were conducted Monday, Sept. 21, at Clark Legacy Center, Nicholasville. Condolences may be made at www.clarklegacycenter.com.

Melanie Kaye Laughlin, 31, of Cincinnati, Ohio, formerly of Lexington, died Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009.

A native of Fayette County, she was the daughter of Ernest and Brenda Laughlin, Versailles, and a 1996 graduate of Dunbar High School.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by a son, Elijah Jayne, Ohio; a sister, Jennifer "Fro" Laughlin, Versailles; and many other relatives.

A gathering of family and friends will be held Saturday, Sept. 26, from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life service at 3 p.m. at Clark Legacy Center in Nicholasville.

Scott Wesley McKinney Jr., 57, of Nicholasville, husband of Linda Bell McKinney, died Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009.

Born June 14, 1952, in Versailles, he was the son of Ruth Lathery Rhineheimer, Wilmore, and the late Scott Wesley McKinney Sr.

In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by five children, Amy (Pete) Feeback, Harrodsburg, Keith (Lisa) McKinney, Nicholasville, Jason (Lori) McKinney, Russell Springs, Jesse McKinney, Lexington, and Daniel McKinney, Nicholasville; his stepfather, Dea Rhineheimer Sr.; two stepchildren, Carey (Michelle) and Jeremy Montgomery, both of Nicholasville; three sisters, Jody (Darryl) Warren, Nicholasville, Becky Rhineheimer, Oregon, and Susan (Jeff) Rice, Nicholasville; a brother, Larry Randall McKinney, Nicholasville; 18 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

Services were conducted Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Clark Legacy Center by Bro. Bill Miller.

Condolences may be made at www.clarklegacycenter.com.

Robert Walter Murphy, 77, widower of Betty Murphy, died Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Healthcare Center in Florence.

Born April 16, 1932, in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of the late Walter Murphy. He was a truck driver and a Thoroughbred owner and trainer. He served in the U.S. Army and was a member of the Teamster Union Local 651 and Boone Union Lodge #304 F. and AM.

Survivors include a daughter, Dianna Murphy, Lexington; a son, Robert D. Murphy, Versailles; a brother, James Patrick Murphy, Dade City, Fla.; a niece, Trisha Murphy, Dade City, Fla.; his first wife, Blanche Murphy, Versailles; and a grandchild.

Services were private.

Condolences may be made at www.clarkfuneralchapels.com.

Gary "Orange" Roberts, 46, of Versailles, died Monday, Sept. 7, 2009, at his residence.

Born June 20, 1963, in Jeffersonville, Ind., he was the son of the late Betty Hood and Albert H. Roberts. He worked with horses on horse farms.

Survivors include two sisters, Lee Ann Dyer, Waco, and Joyce Kincaid, Stanton; six brothers, Frank Soard, Frankfort, Mike Soard, Versailles, Jr. Roberts, Midway, Henry Lay, Burkesville, Glen Soard, Texas, and Mathew Hatton, Clay City. A sister, Sonja Soard, and a brother, Walter Soard, are deceased.

A graveside service was conducted Wednesday, Sept. 16, at Rose Crest Cemetery. Clark Funeral Home, Rose Hill, was in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be made at www.clarkfuneralchapels.com.

Henrietta Mitchell Simpson, 88, of Versailles, widow of John McCauley Simpson, died Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009.

Born July 16, 1921, in Woodford County she was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Mitchell. She was a member and Sunday school teacher of the Millville Baptist Church. She retired after 25 years from National Distillers. She was a supporter of the Democratic Party, serving as chairperson of Woodford County. She was a charter member of the Wendell H. Ford Society.

Survivors include a son, John Wayne (Karen) Simpson; a granddaughter, Aletta Ann Simpson (Wayne) Absher; a grandson, Jay (Tara) Simpson; two great-grandsons, Travis Wayne Absher and Cody Douglas Simpson; a great-granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth Absher; a nephew, James Larry Mitchell; and two nieces, Phyllis Mitchell Palmer and Mary Ann Ingram Rodgers. Two brothers, Garfield Mitchell and Wallace Mitchell; and a sister, Mary Alice Mitchell Strange, are deceased.

Services were conducted Friday, Sept. 18, at Clark Funeral Home, Rose Hill, by the Rev. Mike Hamrick, the Rev. Doug Simpson, the Rev. Jeff Douglas, and Chaplain Kevin Pearce. Burial was in the Versailles Cemetery. Casket bearers were Dale Hippe, Wayne Absher, Johnny Hearn, and Gene Brown.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Bluegrass, Millville Baptist Church, and Taylor Manor Nursing Home.

Condolences may be made at www.clarkfuneralchapels.com.

Harry Boston "Basil" Smith, 78, a lifelong resident of Nonesuch, died Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009, at the Thomson-Hood Veterans Center in Wilmore.

Born Oct. 27, 1930, he was the son of the late Hugh Irvin and Jennie Bunton Smith. He was a member of the Nonesuch Presbyterian Church, a veteran of the U.S. Army, and was a farm owner in Nonesuch.

Survivors include two sisters, B. J. Leger, Orange Park, Fla., and Nancy (Bill) Cofer, Versailles; three brothers, William E. (Jill) Smith, Chicago, Ill., Carl O. (JoNell) Smith, Versailles, and George Henry (Ella) Smith, Lima, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services were conducted Monday, Sept. 21, at Blackburn & Ward Funeral Home by the Rev. Frankie Layne. Interment was in Rose Crest Cemetery. Casket bearers were Tom Downey, Norman Cabral, John Coyle, Jim Bob Adams, Ricky Smith, and George Jr. Smith. Honorary bearers were his caregivers and nurses at Thomson-Hood Veterans Center.

Memorials are suggested to Thomson-Hood Veterans Center.

Guest book at www.BlackburnandWard.com.

Wayne Wells, 69, of Bardstown, husband of Linda Wells, died Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, at his residence.

Born April 9, 1940, in Versailles, he was the son of the late Cecil and Maxie Wells. He was a self-employed farmer, electrical inspector for Salt River Electric, and a retired supervisor from Barton Brands Distillery. He was in the Army Reserve, a graduate of Versailles High School and the University of Kentucky, and was a deacon, Sunday school teacher, trustee, and member of Mill Creek Baptist Church. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Jeff Wells, Bardstown; a daughter, Angela Wells Dickerson, Bardstown; a sister, Daris McCoun, Versailles; and four grandchildren, Brandon Wayne Wells, Kyle Grant Wells, Grace Kelli Dickerson, and Ryan Wells Dickerson, all of Bardstown.

Services were conducted Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Mill Creek Baptist Church, Bardstown, by Bro. Tommy Valentine and Bro. Gary Chesser. Burial was in the church cemetery. Barlow Funeral Home, Bardstown, was in charge of arrangements.

Contributions may be made to the Mill Creek Baptist Church building fund.

Brian David Yanko, 49, of Versailles, formerly of South Bend, Ind., husband of Debbie (Hooley) Yanko, died Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009, at the University of Kentucky A.B. Chandler Medical Center in Lexington.

Born May 23, 1960, in Columbus, Ohio, he was the son of Rita Lubinski Yanko, South Bend, Ind., and the late David G. Yanko Jr. He was a 1978 graduate of Washington High School in South Bend, Ind., and attended IUSB, majoring in music. He was most recently employed by Furniture Row Outlet, Lexington, and a carrier of the Lexington Herald-Leader. He was a talented musician who played in a variety of bands in Indiana and Kentucky. He enjoyed music, science fiction, and traveling.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Rachel and Emily Yanko, Versailles; two sisters, Amy (James) Phelps, South Bend, Ind., and Beth Ann Fuller, North Liberty, Ind.; many nieces and nephews; and a great-niece and nephew.

A gathering of family and friends was held on Saturday, Sept. 19, at Clark Legacy Center, Nicholasville.

Condolences may be made at www.clarklegacycenter.com.