William LaRue "Bill" Routt

William "Bill" LaRue Routt of Sonora, was born Jan. 23, 1928, to his parents, Jesse and Cap Routt, both of LaRue County. He parted this life peacefully on Monday, July 28, 2025, at the Radcliff Veteran's Center, where he was an honored resident for his military service in the Korean Conflict. At the time of his passing, he reached the age of 97 years young.

Bill was an avid farmer for more than 60 years, starting at the ripe age of 13 to help provide for his family. In his life, he raised some of the best registered Poll Hereford cattle, with a herd of more than 100. He also was a member of First Baptist Church of Sonora for more than 60 years and he was honored to be nominated and ordained into service as a deacon more than once.

He also was an accomplished musician, talented with the guitar, banjo, fiddle and mandolin. In his early years, he utilized this aptitude to play in a band for a multitude of Country Barn square dances. Throughout his life, he encouraged his love and talent for music in his children and grandchildren.

Bill loved to travel with his beloved wife, Juanita. They were privileged enough to visit the Holy Lands, Egypt, Venezuela, Brazil and all 50 of the United States.

His hobbies over the years were vast and wide in variety, including playing bluegrass music, chewing tobacco and raising a substantial garden. He was in a long-term race with his farmer pals and neighbors to grow and pick the first tomato of the year. He loved spending quality time with his many friends, usually joining them for a weekly Laha's hamburger and hot dog. And it cannot be forgotten how Bill ate his weight in chicken nuggets and apple pies from McDonald's, don't forget the honey mustard sauce.

Bill lived a phenomenal life and had a positive impact on the lives of all who were blessed enough to know him. These past 97 years have led him on a long and winding road and now he has made it home.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 71 years, Juanita Hazlewood Routt; his parents, Jesse and Cap Routt; a brother, Leroy Routt; and a sister Bernice Routt Upton.

Survivors include his two adoring daughters, Brenda (Bobby) Routt Wilkerson of Upton, and Sally (Scot) Routt Styer of Lexington; two grandsons, Chad Wilkerson of Upton, and Morgan (Lynn) Routt of Winchester; a granddaughter, Megan Wilkerson of Upton; nine great-grandchildren, Bradley, Talon, Hailey Marie, Sierra, Haley Lea, Barrett, Desmond, West and Salem, and many others. Although he spent 50 years as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, his true joy in life was in being a caring, humorous and loving father and grandfather.

The funeral is at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at First Baptist Church of Sonora with Brother Tony Carson and the Rev. Leroy Routt officiating. Burial with military honors follows in Sonora Cemetery.

Visitation is from 1 to 8 p.m. Friday and continues from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Manakee Funeral Home in Sonora.