William Henry "Bill" Sebastian

SEBASTIAN William "Bill" Henry, 88, of Lexington died Sep 28, 2008 at his home surrounded by family members. Bill was predeceased by his beloved wife of 57 years, Alice Marie Sebastian, his parents, Henry Clay and Francis Tevis Sebastian of Boone County, KY and his brother, John Owen Sebastian of Okeechobee, FL. He is survived by three daughters, Ruth A. Sebastian, Lexington, Billie M. Dunavent (R.L.) of Frankfort, and Patricia A. Sebastian, Lexington, three grandchildren, Fredrich Patterson Sebastian Maney (Meredith) of Louisville, William Clay Sebastian Maney (Staci) of Lexington, Sara Elizabeth Elliott of Richmond and four great-grandchildren, Catherine Elise, Brian Mackenzie, Olivia Grace and Mackenzie Elizabeth. Bill was born in 1920 in Cincinnati, OH and moved to Kentucky at the age of 7. He graduated from Hebron High School (1937) and served in the United States Army during World War II in North Africa and Italy. As a returning veteran Bill entered the University of Kentucky College of Electrical Engineering on the GI Bill. He graduated in 1950 with Honors and was a member of Eta Kappa Nu (the Electrical Engineering Honorary Fraternity). During the time Bill attended UK he also worked full-time at the General Telephone Company. In 1950 he began working at IBM and retired in 1982. During his thirty years at IBM he was awarded several patents and traveled extensively for the World Trade Division in Europe and South America. After retirement he enjoyed traveling with Alice and helping to raise his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also worked at Keeneland each Spring and Fall Meet and did volunteer work for his church and neighbors. Bill was a Master Mason and a member of the Burlington Lodge for over 50 years. He was a lifelong Baptist, an avid hunter and fisherman and a Kentucky Colonel. Bill is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Dorothea Marshall (Bob) of Florence, KY and Vivian Blaker of Covington, KY, their children, a special nephew, Doug Sebastian of Vero Beach, FL and a special niece, Barbara Melear of Okeechobee, FL and a host of friends and colleagues. Visitation will be at Milward-Southland Drive on Wed, Oct 1st from 5-8pm and the funeral service will be held at Milward's on Thu at 1:30pm with the Rev. Chris Rieber presiding and entombment at Lexington Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully suggests charitable donations to the Disabled Veterans of Foreign Wars. www.milwardfuneral.com