Mr. Willie “Bill” Hudson, 80, of Heidrick, passed away Wednesday morning, August 25, 2021 at the St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington. He was the son of the late Pharris and Viola Martin Hudson born on September 25, 1940 in Knox County.
Bill was a long-time carpenter and a founding member of the Free Spirit Baptist Church where he served as a Sunday school teacher for many years. He enjoyed attending church, reading the Bible, bird watching and in earlier years, gardening and fishing.
On May 26, 1962, he united in marriage with Tressie Hubbard and to this union five children were born.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Tressie; a daughter, Sue Ann Duff; a son, Rev. Herman Hudson and 22 siblings.
Survivors include his loving children, Teresa Lynn Davenport of Heidrick, Billie Mitchell and husband, Daniel, of Barbourville and Anita Hudson of Heidrick; two grandchildren, William Lee Duff and wife, Angel, and a very special granddaughter, Amanda Beth Mitchell; two great-grandchildren, Liam and Lucy; among other loved ones and dear friends.
A private family funeral service will be conducted in the chapel of the Knox Funeral Home Wednesday, September 1 with Rev. Joshua Gray and Daniel Mitchell officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Mitchell Family Cemetery.
Casket bearers will be Donnie Hudson, Waylon Corey, Matt Jones, Andrew Blakely, Tommy Black, David Jordan and Sol “Bubby” Hubbard. Honorary bearers will be his long-time friend, Arvil Jordan, Sarah Hudson Shields, Claude Scalf, Melinna Broughton, Rita Kysar, Melissa Blakely, his friends and neighbors in the Heidrick community; his church families at both Free Spirit Baptist Church and Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church and all the church babies, who knew him as the “Candyman”.
Friends may call at the funeral home Tuesday between 5 and 8 P.M.
Expressions of sympathy may go to either The Gideon’s International https://www.gideons.org/donate
or to the Shriners Hospitals for Children https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/giving in his memory.
The family requests that all visitors wear a facial covering and practice social distancing during the visitation.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Knox Funeral Home.
Send a condolence to the family of WILLIE “BILL” HUDSON.
For questions about our obituaries or condolence service, please contact us. You may reach us via e-mail at knoxfuneralhome@barbourville.com. Reach us via phone by calling 606-546-2222.
