Hayden Willett

Hayden Russell Willett was born on June 13, 2007 in Elizabethtown, Kentucky to Kristin and Scott Willett. He was a talented left handed pitcher with a filthy fastball, a first baseman who could make a dig, a supportive teammate on the Elizabethtown Varsity Baseball team, an Asbury University Baseball signee, the 2020 Sonny Chaput Award Co-Winner, a student-athlete who understood the meaning of having Panther Pride, a young man who was passionate about public speaking and government, a six year participant in the Y Club and Kentucky Youth Assembly, the peer elected 2024 Kentucky Youth Assembly Governor for KYA 4, a National Council on Youth Leadership Youth Salute delegate, a 2023 Hardin County Youth Leadership representative, a member of the Kentucky Baseball Prime National, Rawlings Tigers Velo, Heartland Hustle and Elizabethtown Dirtbags travel teams. However, if you were lucky enough to know Hayden personally, then you also know he loved watching the weather. He was constantly checking the Weather Channel - and all other models - when there was even the slightest mention of a major weather event. He also lived to engage anyone in a political debate. He loved to go toe to toe, fact for fact, with all the information he personally researched. He loved every history class he ever took and never viewed those assignments as work. He spent his free time in the gym working out, vacationing in Key West with his family, playing Rocket League, and cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats. He was a gentle giant and social butterfly. He found his voice being an advocate for himself and others at an early age. He easily became a friend to anyone he could start a conversation with. He had the best sense of humor and the biggest heart for others. Hayden’s witty one line replies will be missed by all. He made his family proud on the field, at the podium, and in the classroom. He was deeply loved by his parents and was the best big brother to his younger brother, Carter.

Hayden was preceded in death by his grandmother and grandfather, Liz and Tommy Willett; his grandfather, Timothy Johnson; his great grandparents, Sue and Russell Young, Edith and Hilton Henderson, Raymond Johnson, and Elizabeth and Tom Willett; and his great uncles, Sam Smallwood and Steve Gersovitz.

He is survived by his parents, Kristin and Scott Willett and younger brother, Carter Willett. He is also survived by numerous family members including his grandmother, Sondra Johnson; great grandmother, Jeannette Johnson; uncle, James Willett (Melissa); uncle, Matthew Johnson (Julie); aunt, Alyssa Grunnet (Colin); great uncle, Mike Johnson (Shannon); great uncle, Marshall Johnson (Pam); great aunt, Martine Claggett; great uncle, Kenny Henderson (Wanda); great aunt, Marcia Kaye Gersovitz; great uncle, David Young (Karen); great uncle, Bill Young (Karen); and great aunt Beth High (Tony).

He also leaves behind his beloved cousins, Kate and Clay Willett, Larry and Lucy Grunnet, and Mia and Lucas Johnson. His girlfriend, Audrey Christopher and an overwhelming number of school friends and baseball teammates also survive.

Visitation will be held in the Elizabethtown High School Gymnasium on Sunday, December 22nd from 1:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. and continue on Monday from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service.

The funeral will be held at 11 A.M. on Monday, December 23, 2024 in the Elizabethtown High School Gymnasium, 620 N Mulberry St, Elizabethtown, KY 42701.Burial will follow in Hardin Memorial Park Cemetery.

Reverend Adam Sparks will officiate and serving as pallbearers will be: Drake Bell, Hayden Fisher, Gehrig Galvin, Colin Hamilton, Connor Johnson, Dre Johnson, Will Lynch, and Reed Sherrard. Hayden’s baseball teammates will serve as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a contribution to JT’s Way. Checks can be mailed to 107 North Mantle, Elizabethtown, KY 42701 or by giving online at https://www.jtsway.com/ .