Willard "Bub" Barnett

Willard “Bub” Barnett, 91 of Burgin, husband of Justine, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, following a short illness.

Willard was born in Martin, Floyd Co., KY on June 15, 1926, the second of several children born to the late John Quincy and Rana Calhoun Barnett. On January 28, 1957 in East Point, KY he married Anna Justine Osborne whom he had known since he was 5 and she was 4 years old. He was affectionately referred to as “Bub” by all who knew and loved him- a nickname given to him by his brother.

After serving his country in the U.S. Air Force for two years at the end of World War II and being stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany, he worked as a coal miner and finally retired as a merchant marine for U.S. Steel. He was a member of the Burgin Church of God for over 20 years and loved to share the Gospel with all who would listen.

Willard is survived by his wife of 61 years, Justine, of Burgin; sons: Robin L. Barnett, Burgin; James (Sandra) Potter, Toledo, OH; step-son: Anthony (Kay) Osborne, Lancaster, KY; two grandchildren he raised: Christopher R. Barnett, Lexington, KY and Christol R. Barnett, Danville, KY; additional grandchildren: James (Tammy) Potter Jr. and Lisa (Kenneth) Kohn, Toledo, OH; step-grandchildren: Amanda Burgett, Grove City, OH, Holly Argo, Stanford, KY, Chanse Murphy and Brittany Murphy, Lancaster, KY; 12 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren; sisters: Bessie (Herbert) Dingus, Donna Turner, Carla (Jerry) Blackburn, Juanita (Oscar) Rice, all of Floyd Co., KY; sister-in-law: Agatha Hall, Columbus, OH; and brother-in-law: Thomas Osborne, Lancer, KY.

In addition to his parents, Willard was preceded in death by his grandparents: Abbott and Pocahontas Halbert Barnett and John and Araminta Hignite Calhoun; a brother: Cledith (Pauline) Barnett; sisters-in-law: Jacqueline (Millard) Ratliff and Billie Pauline Akers; brother-in-law: Jimmy Gabe Turner; and one great-grandson: Kurt Kohn. Willard also leaves behind several good and close friends who helped make his last days brighter, including: Carlos Arellano, Donnie and Phyllis Irvin, Jimmy Carey, and Mrs. Cookie Connor.

Visitation will be Monday, April 9, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. with the funeral following at 1 p.m. at Sims Funeral Services, Harrodsburg with Bro. Donnie Irvin, officiating. Burial will follow in Junction City Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Heritage Hospice, the Burgin Church of God, and Signature Harrodsburg Health and Rehabilitation Center for their kindness and support throughout Willard’s last days.

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