William (“Billy,” “Bill”) Allen Vessels, 84, of Owensboro died on May 26, 2021 at Hospice of Western Kentucky Heartford House in Owensboro. Billy was born to the late Edith Wall Vessels and Gene Vessels in Owensboro. He attended St. Frances Academy and graduated from Owensboro Catholic High School. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Nila Jean Vessels.
Family meant everything to Billy. He sacrificed much and did his utmost to provide for his family, while instilling in them values such as integrity, humility, fairness, and mutual support. He loved family get-togethers and spending time with children. He and Jean established the family home as a place where their children’s friends were welcome to drop by to enjoy hours of fun and share meals. He was extraordinarily kind and generous with friends, acquaintances, and strangers alike. Billy enjoyed sports, especially fishing, playing backyard basketball and corn hole, and watching University of Kentucky men’s basketball.
Billy was owner of Vessels Alignment Service on Calhoun Road in Owensboro for 50 years, a business started by his parents and then co-owned with his brother Robert Vessels, who survives him. Billy took great pride in his and the business’ reputation for honest, friendly, high-quality care for customers’ vehicles. He was widely known as the best front-end auto mechanic in the region.
He is survived by his children Mark (Patsy) Vessels of Owensboro, Jeff (Gilberto Gerald) Vessels of Cathedral City, California, Becky Vessels of Utica, and Cindy Vessels of Owensboro; grandchildren Sarah Daniel of Owensboro, Nicholas Vessels of Owensboro, Tonya Daniel of Utica, Jessica Vessels of Owensboro, Matthew Daniel of Utica, and Kelsey (Ben) Klein of Owensboro; great-grandchildren Ethan Howard of Owensboro, Kylie Greenwell of Utica, Trinity Ralph of Owensboro, Zeke Ralph of Owensboro, Nevaeh Buckman of Utica, and Alexa Jones of Utica.
Services will be 5:00 pm Friday, June 4, 2021 at Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until the time of service Friday at the funeral home.
The family gives special thanks to the entire staff at Willowdale Village and Hospice of Western Kentucky Heartford House for their care.
All who wish to honor William at the funeral are required to follow CDC guidelines while inside the funeral home for the safety of all those in attendance.
Haley McGinnis Funeral Home and Crematory is both honored and privileged to be entrusted with the care of Billy Vessels.
Share your messages of condolence with the family of Billy Vessels at www.haleymcginnis.com.