Clell Ford DeSpain

NICHOLASVILLE - Clell Ford DeSpain, 85, husband of Rebecca Perry DeSpain, died Thu Oct 25, 2007. He was born April 29, 1922, in Green County, KY to the late Roy E. and Tessie Ford DeSpain. He was a veteran of the Air Force in WWII and served in Italy where he was a B-24 pilot and attained the rank of Lieutenant. He was a graduate of the University of Kentucky, was a U.K. Fellow and was the President of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity. He was employed by International Farm Equipment Division for six years then started Marrs and DeSpain Farm Equipment. He served on the Board of Directors and was President for the Kentucky Retail Farm and Power Equipment Association, served on the board of Directors of the First National Bank of Nicholasville, was a Kentucky Colonel, a founding member and Secretary/Treasurer of Nicholasville Industrial Foundation, Co-President of the Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce, a member and on the board of directors for the Aviation Museum of Kentucky and was a Mason and Shriner. Additional survivors include two daughters, Sara D. (Marshall) Brothers- NC, Frances D. (Walter) Viegelmann- NC, two sons, Steven F. (Sharon) DeSpain- Nicholasville and Michael L. (Renee) DeSpain-AL, seven grandchildren, Sara Abshear Bishop-N.C., Jennifer DeSpain-TX, Nathanael Brothers, Sophie Brothers and Eleanor Brothers-all of N.C., and Anna and John DeSpain-AL, one great grandchild, Bailey E. Bishop-N.C. and other family members. Services will be 1:30pm Tue at Betts & West Funeral Home with Chaplin Jim Harrison officiating. Burial to follow in Camp Nelson National Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 5-8pm at the funeral home. Bearers will be Babe Wilson, Bobby Powell, Bill Adams, Ted Prewitt, Bill and Wayne Hayden. Contributions are suggested to Hospice of the Blue Grass at P.O. Box 873, Nicholasville, KY 40356 or the Aviation Museum of Kentucky at 4316 Hanger Drive, Lexington, KY 40510. Online guestbook at www. BettsandWestFuneralHome.com