Billy Franklin Van Pelt

Online Obituaries for and Versailles KY Billy Franklin Van Pelt, 83, died Saturday. Born in Versailles, Kentucky on March 10, 1933, he was the son of well-known Woodford County farmers, Lewis and Elverine Watts Van Pelt. He was the grandson of Ben and Lucy Carroll of Versailles and John Robert and Permelia Van Pelt of Clark County. He was the great-grandson of Johnson and Lucy Van Pelt of Lexington. His ancestor, Lucinda Young Van Pelt, was the daughter of David and Nancy Young, original settlers of Woodford County. He was also a descendant of early Fayette County settlers William and Anna Van Pelt; and Sanford Van Pelt and John Robert Van Pelt, who were both 19th century Lexington merchants. Billy served in the army during the Korean War. He spent his entire professional sales career at Harrod Concrete and Stone Company. During his tenure there he was involved in the construction of several projects including the Lexington Convention Center and Rupp Arena, Kincaid Towers, the Vine Center and Commonwealth Stadium. He also served as the Secretary of the Home Builders Association of Lexington and was a member of the Lexington Lions Club. Like his parents, Billy loved the land and farming. Whenever possible, he worked along side his father on the family farm on U.S. 60 between Versailles and Frankfort. He was predeceased by his sisters Virginia Van Pelt Spears and Juanita Van Pelt Gilmer; and his daughter Lucy Carroll Van Pelt. He is survived by his former wife of 38 years, Peggy Van Pelt and his sons Jerry Roland Van Pelt (Joy), Billy Franklin Van Pelt, II, and John Robert Van Pelt; one granddaughter, Angela Van Pelt Wasik (Tim); four great-grandchildren Lance Wasik, Jackson Wasik, Brady Wasik and Campbell Wasik; one niece, Diane Spears Hay (Harold), and five nephews, Danny Spears (Tabby), Michael Spears (Vivian), Gary Spears, Lewis Spears, and Larry Stratton (Agnes); three cousins, John Craycraft (Glenda), Patsy McAfee (James), and Pricilla Creech; and numerous grand-nephews, grand-nieces, great-grand nephews and great-grand nieces. Funeral Information The visitation will be held on Saturday, May 28th from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at St. Leo Church in Versailles. The funeral will immediately follow at 11:30 a.m. at St. Leo Church. There will be a graveside service at the Versailles Cemetery. Father Danny Schwendeman will officiate the funeral and the graveside service. Pallbearers are Gene Hornback, Owen Roberts, Jackie Brown, George Withers, C.L. Watts, and Ken Reed. Honorary pallbearers are Don and Mira Ball, James Rouse, J.C. Moraja, David Harrod, Rick Harp, Michael Burns, Barry Norfleet, George Owens and Todd Cheever, M.D.