Obituary of Billy Gene Hester

Billy Gene Hester, of Independence, KY, age 85, passed away at his home peacefully and made his journey to Heaven on Thursday, March 7, 2024. He was born and raised in Bracken County, Ky where he met the love of his life, Perry Reed. They were married in 1958 and were approaching their 66th wedding anniversary. He worked as a Mechanical Engineer for Butternut Bread for 45 years and was a member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church. He and Perry did so many things together over the years, such as playing euchre, camping, water skiing, going to bluegrass concerts, and raising a vegetable garden every year. They also enjoyed watching U.K. Basketball, Cincinnati Reds Baseball and NASCAR racing (side note: Billy’s favorite driver, Kyle Larson, won the race this past Sunday and he got to watch it!  He loved watching his five grandsons play baseball and basketball while they were growing up.   As an added pleasure, he got to spend time with his great grandson, who visited him often, and helped him plant his garden. 

He was preceded in death by parents Gordon and Eileen Hester. Survivors include his loving wife, Perry Reed Hester, daughter, Vicki Grubbs (Steve); son, Jeff Hester (Angie); grandsons, Brent Hopkins, Chad Hopkins (Stacey), Eric Hopkins, Austin Hester (Jennifer), and Justin Hester; great grandson, Jackson Hopkins; and siblings, Roy Edward “Eddie” Hester (Emily), Freddie Hester (Brenda), and Joyce Cummins (Donnie). 

Visitation will be Sunday, March 10, 2024, from 3 to 5 p.m. with the funeral service immediately following at 5 p.m. at Hickory Grove Baptist Church, 11969 Taylor Mill Rd., Independence, KY 41051. Interment will be Monday, March 11, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Maple Grove Cemetery in Germantown, KY. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be sent to Hickory Grove Baptist Church or Bluegrass Care Navigators, 1733 Harrodsburg Rd., Lexington, KY 40504.  For directions, to view his life tribute video or to leave the family a message of condolence, please go to www.chambersandgrubbs.com.