Gilford Hatton

1950 - 2025

Gilford Clay Hatton, beloved brother, son, friend, and Christian, died peacefully in his sleep during the early morning hours of Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

Like the cartoon icon he loved-Foghorn Leghorn- (I say, I say boy), Gilford was the unapologetic antithesis of "woke" philosophy. His tireless rants against New Age ideology and political correctness paired with his longing for a return to simpler times, when men were men, women wore dresses, and children said "yes Mam, no Sir, please and thank you."

Born in 1950 in Berlin, Germany, to American soldier, Artis Hatton, and his "war bride" Ingeburg Hildegarde Busse, he traveled to the U.S. on the ship General William O' Darby, immigrating with his mother when he was 3 years old. He grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida and relocated with his family when he was twelve to Irvine Kentucky. He graduated from Estill County High School and attended Eastern Kentucky University. He proudly served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps and especially loved the two years he spent stationed in Hawaii.

He was always loving, protective and routinely annoyed by his two younger sisters, Rose Marie Bivins (Bill) and Suzanne Hatton Nesbitt (Paul) both of Lexington, KY. He especially cherished his Uncle Gilford Clay Hatton and his Aunt Gladys Hatton, who were the first to tell him about Jesus. He loved his best friend Garnet and treasured his friend Mike and his friends and pastor at Crosswoods Baptist Church, where he was a member.

Gilford loved motorcycles, dogs (esp. Tucker), cats, ZZ Top, Johnny Cash, gospel music, the American Flag, spy novels, Clint Eastwood films, a freshly mowed lawn, fried mushrooms, yeast rolls and Little Debbie Snack Cakes. He particularly loved deviled eggs and expressed his hope "to die with my face down in a plate of deviled eggs following Thanksgiving Dinner." He held a life-long fascination with Queen Elizabeth and the royals, often describing conversations they would have over meals at Buckingham Palace. He recently divulged that he "always loved girls with ponytails" but detested "bossy women." His sense of humor was random and outrageous. Known in his family as the king of non-sequiturs, Gilford would announce that he "could have been an NFL Running Back, if the whole double-nought spy thing hadn't worked out." He recently described to his sister how much he enjoyed his career as a Nobel prize-winning astro-physicist, adding that, "I didn't know you were an Ethno-Botanist."

He loved old hymns, reading his bible, and looked forward to a reunion with his loved ones in Heaven.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you provide an offering to Crosswoods Baptist Church, 4991 Harrodsburg Rd., Nicholasville, KY 40356, (or online at www.crosswoodsbaptist.org).

The family would like to thank staff at the VA Hospital in Lexington, his devoted friends and pastor at Crosswoods Baptist Church, and his final, loving caretaker, Marion Jackson and her family.

A Celebration of Life reception is scheduled for Sunday, October 19th, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Milward Celebration Center of Lexington, 1509 Trent Boulevard, Lexington, KY 40515. Interment at Camp Nelson National Cemetery will be scheduled for a later date.