William "Bill" Bythel Hagee Jr.

William “Bill” Bythel Hagee Jr., age 82, of Radcliff, Kentucky, returned to his Heavenly Father on Friday, June 1st, 2018 at the Hardin Memorial Hospital in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. A man of great faith, Bill was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Radcliff Ward and was one of the pioneers in helping build the church in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. He served in many positions of responsibility in His Father’s kingdom, including on the Stake High Council and as a bishop, bishopric counselor, Sunday School president, Sunday School teacher, High Priest group leader, Elders Quorum president, Servicemen’s group leader, seminary teacher, Scoutmaster, and as a temple worker in the Atlanta, GA, St. Louis, MO, and Louisville, KY temples. Bill was instrumental in the land procurement for and building of the Louisville, Kentucky temple. He was one of the authors of the history of the church in Louisville that was included in the time capsule of the temple. 

Bill was born in Goose Creek, Texas on Sunday, October 13th, 1935, to the late James William Bythel Hagee and Vada Mildred Swick. Bill attended Southwestern Bible College in Waxahachie, Texas. When his dorm burned down, Bill enlisted in the US Army where he served 28 ½ years in the Signal Corps with tours in Korea and Vietnam. Bill said his greatest achievement in the US Army was as a 32-year-old First Sergeant in Vietnam when he was responsible for 350 men. Concerned for their personal safety, he prayed every day for those men. When his tour of duty in Vietnam was over, Bill was elated that all 350 men were spared. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Army Occupation in Germany Medal, Army Commendation Medal 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, four Overseas Service Ribbons, two Overseas Service Bars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, nine Good Conduct Medals, Army Service Ribbon, Army Rifle Marksmanship Award, Silver Schützenschnur (German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship), and the Bronze Star. 

After his service in the Army, Bill became the Physical Facility Manager for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Louisville, Kentucky, where he served for 20 years. Bill loved music and the outdoors, played numerous instruments, and had a beautiful tenor voice. He was a great friend of animals. He was a Kentucky Colonel and a private pilot. 

Bill is survived by his adoring wife of 62 years, Elisabeth Hagee; two daughters, Kathy Johnson (Wes) and Cindy Motley (Mark); six grandchildren, Chelsey Sanford (Tim), Chalese Koyle (Dallan), Sarah DeMoya (David), Joshua Motley, Cassidy Johnson, and Callie Johnson; and six great grandchildren, Easton Koyle, Mason Sanford, Avery Koyle, Luke Sanford, Owen Koyle, and Isaac Sanford. The oldest of four boys, Bill is survived by his three younger brothers, Pastor John Hagee (Diana), Jack Hagee (Denise), and Michael Hagee; and by many loving cousins, nephews, nieces, and dear friends. 

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, June 8th, 2018 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2950 Shepherdsville Road, Elizabethtown, KY) with burial to follow at North Hardin Memorial Gardens. Friends and family may pay their respects on Thursday, June 7th from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm or Friday, June 8th from 11:30 am until 12:30 pm at the church. 

Schoppenhorst, Underwood & Brooks Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.