William Baxter "Billy" Hester

William B. “Billy” Hester, age 71, of Stanford, Kentucky, passed away on Monday, February 24, 2025, Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center in Danville, Kentucky, after the most courageous battle with cancer that any man has ever fought surrounded with love by his wife and daughters. 

Billy is survived by his loving wife, Imelda Wise Hester who fought every fight with him every day until the end.

In addition to his wife, Billy is survived by daughters, Shani Havens (Darren), and Tiffani Sparks (Will).

Billy spent his entire career in public safety and service. He spent combined years of law enforcement with the Stanford Police Department, Danville Police Department, and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. He served the Kentucky Department of Corrections with Northpoint Training Center and EKCC. Billy had a passion for training, he taught numerous classes in search and rescue, rappelling, firearms, CPR, and trained Search and Rescue K-9 units among many others. He actively participated in many search and rescue operations.

Billy looked forward to attending church on Sundays with Imelda, his friends and church family of Stanford First Church of God.

Billy always had a smile on his face and had the ability to make everyone laugh. To those who know him well know that he was also hard-headed as a bull and was never one to back down. If you made him mad, you’d sure know it!

Along with his wife and daughters, Billy is survived by step-children; Ben Price, Angel Price, and Charity Devine (Dan); grandchildren, Kye Havens, Ian Havens, Kyleigh Clark, and William Sparks; step-grandchildren, Holly, Max, Maria, Henry, AnnaBeth, and Kendall; his mother-in-law, Shirley Cooper; his brother, Bruce; brother and sister-in-law, Katherine Wise Carroll and Will Ed Wise; and a special cousin that he considered his sister, Trisha Caudill.

He is also survived by Tera, Heather, and their children.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph “Paddle” Hester and Bernice Shelton Hester Renner.

The Public Visitation will be 5-8PM Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Fox & Friend Funeral Home.

The Public Funeral Service will be 10:30AM Friday, 28, 2025, at the funeral home with Pastor Pete Gilliam officiating. Billy requested that Danny and Donnie Gilliam sing at his funeral, the family feels so blessed having that wish granted.

Burial will be at Bellevue Cemetery following the funeral.

Memorial Contributions are suggested to Stanford First Church of God Building Fund, 410 Logan Avenue, Stanford, Kentucky, 40484.

The Funeral Service will be livestreamed on Billy’s memorial page of the funeral home’s website.

Fox & Friend Funeral Home, Stanford, is entrusted with Billy’s arrangements. Guest Book is available at www.friendfuneralhomes.com. 

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