He was a member of the Hardin County First United Baptist Church and was a retired U.S. Army veteran of WWII and the Korean Conflict. While serving, he was a prisoner of war and received 3 Purple Hearts.

He was born on February 17, 1922 in Edmonson County as the son of Jefferson Hassett and Gertha Norris Rigdon Hester.

He is survived by his wife, Retta Frances Constant Hester of Vine Grove; three sons, Ernie Malcolm Hester of Louisville, Jimmie Milton Hester of Richland, Mo., and Dennis Neal Hester of Vine Grove; one daughter, Loretta Hatfield of Vine Grove; two brothers, Delmar and Jessie Oval Hester, both of Louisville; three sisters, Catherine Wade of Leitchfield, Naomi Wade of Louisville, Mary Harrison of Anneta. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren and 17 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Winfred Hester, and one sister, Vanda Hester.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, August 31, 2003 at the Mulberry Flats United Baptist Church in Leitchfield under the direction of the Dermitt Funeral Home in Leitchfield with Rev. Edward Dermitt officiating. Burial was in the Church cemetery. Donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans

Grayson County News Gazette