John Willis Hansford

John Willis “J.W.” Hansford, age 94 of Somerset, passed away on Monday, April 22, 2024 at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital.  He was born on April 27, 1929 to Charles Noble Hansford and Cloa Dell Sears Hansford at Shopville, KY.   J.W. met his life partner, Rheagenia Maxine Cain and they were married on July 5, 1951 in Rossville, GA,  while John was stationed in Ft. Lee, Virginia, serving our country in the US Army.  He was a corporal and acting sergeant. 

J.W. and Rheagenia were partners in all aspects of life,  the two oldest, active members of Fellowship Chapel at Shopville, KY,  where they have served faithfully.  They reached a major milestone in their marriage, celebrating their 72nd anniversary on July 5, 2023. They were long-time residents of the Shopville Community, later moving to Southern Hills and presently residing at Natures Point in Somerset, KY.  J.W. was a farmer, livestock dealer, and a livestock grader at Monticello, Russell County, and Somerset Stockyards.  

His motto was “when you have a job to do, do it to the best of your ability” …..”always pay your debts”…… “be honest” …… “love and support your family with all your heart, no matter what”….. and always love and serve the Lord”!!

J.W. and Rheagenia were the proud parents of C.V. (Susan) Hansford and Judy Kay (Mike) New; grandparents to Sunda (Josh) Hall, Christa (Grant) Burton, Beth Adams (Lukasz Puzio), J.D. (Chere’) Hansford, Kenneth (Lauren) New and Kristi Anne Norman; great grandparents to Blake Carroll, Caitlin (Drew) Smith, Grayson Fitzgerald, Hailey Adams, Jakob Burton, Audrey Hansford, Skylar New, Maliyah Swinney, Pierce Johnson, Will Johnson, Zeke Swinney, Chase Norman, Lydia Hansford and Charlie New; and a special niece, Alice (J.R.) Jackson.  J.W. leaves behind extended family members, neighbors and friends who are saddened by his passing.

J.W. was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Cloa Hansford; and his sister, Verna Christine (Leonard) Chumbley.

Visitation for John W. Hansford will be on Friday, April 26, 2024 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at Lake Cumberland Funeral Home, 1046 West Hwy 80, Somerset, KY  42503.    His Funeral Service will follow at the Chapel of Lake Cumberland Funeral Home at 1:00 pm with Bro. Glenn Cox presiding.  Full Military Honors will be conducted by American Legion Post #38 Honor Guard.  Burial will be at Lakeside Memorial Gardens.