Billy Gene Gividen

Gividen, Billy Gene (Bill), was born in Campbellsburg (Henry County) Kentucky, to Webb Lebus and Ethel Colbert Gividen, both deceased. He was also pre-deceased by a daughter, Lisa Gividen Rosegotter. Bill graduated from Bellarmine University and was an Adjunt Professor at Sullivan University for 18 years teaching computer programming classes. He was a Kentucky Colonel.

Bill was a United States Marine Veteran and served during the Korean Conflict Era at Atsugi, Japan Naval Air Station and aboard the Aircraft Carrier Bon Homme Richard. Bill was a life member of the Marine Corps League Detachment 729, serving the last seven years as Chaplain. He received the Detachment Marine of the Year award in 2008 and was inducted into the Legion of Honor in the Chapel of the Four Chaplains in 2009. The last two years he also served as Chaplain for the state of Kentucky, and received the state Marine of the Year in 2013.

Bill was involved with Special Olympics as Softball Coach and Assistant to the Swim Coach. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and seeing all of God's creation. He especially enjoyed the beach and the Daytona 500. He had a passion for Nascar and racing. He owned and drove a 1978 Mustang II Drag Race Car at Ohio Valley Raceway for many years and was driver of the year in the Street Division in 1991. His other passion was UK Basketball.

Bill was a member of Beargrass Christian Church for more than 50 years and served as Sunday School Teacher, Deacon and Elder. Bill was a very dedicated family man and leaves his wife Catharine Smith Gividen; daughters, Laura Larcara (Stephen) and Leslie Gividen and his first wife, Sarah Rouse Gividen; two sisters, Sue Ballard and Jerelene Barkhau (Julius); grandchildren, Heidi Gividen, Nicholas Rosegotter, Lindsay Cleavinger, Jacob and Mitchell Larcara; four step-children, Debra Smith, Michael Smith (Cyndi), David Smith and William H. Smith (Joan); 9 step-grandchildren and 7 step-great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 12:00 NOON, on Saturday at Beargrass Christian Church, 4100 Shelbyville Road with visitation starting at 11:00am. There will also be visitation from 2:00pm-8:00pm on Friday in the parlor of Arch L. Heady & Son at Westport Village, 7410 Westport Road. Graveside services with Military Honors will be conducted at 11:00am Monday at Kentucky Veteran's Cemetery Central in Radcliff, KY.

Please visit us at www.archlheadywestport.com to leave a condolence for the family.