William Clay Gabbard age 81 of Haiti Road in Berea, passed away Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004 at St. Joseph East Hospital in Lexington.

Clay was born in Rockcastle County to the late William Thomas and Polly Gadd Gabbard. He was a self employed carpenter and a member of Liberty Avenue Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, Clay was preceded in death by his Myrtle Marie Miller Gabbard, two brothers Johnny and Emmitt Gabbard and one sister Ruth Geneva Gabbard.

He is survived by one sister Ina Johnson of Paint Lick, several nieces and nephews Robert E. Spurlock of OH, Ricky L. Spurlock of OH, Janet Mae Hill of Mt. Vernon, Anna Marie Anglin of Berea, Jonathan Durbin of Mt. Vernon, Brandon Spurlock of Berea, James Gabbard of Lexington, Emmitt Gabbard Jr. of Nicholasville, Steven Gabbard of Wilmore, Emmitt Eugene Johnson of Paint Lick, Mike Johnson of Kingston, Marilyn Chasteen of Berea, Kara Spurlock of Berea, Aaron Spurlock of Berea, Ashley Anglin of Berea, Floyd Gabbard, Bernice Gabbard, Wanda Gabbard, Mary Gabbard, Fred Gabbard, Wilford Gabbard and Mack Gabbard all of Texas; several other great nieces and nephews; and special friends Tasha Luster and Judy Guillen.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday, February 26, 2004 at Lakes Funeral Home in Berea with Rev. Randy McPheron officiating. Burial will follow in the Chasteen Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday evening after 6:00 p.m. and after 9:00 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Active pallbearers will be Mike Johnson, Brandon Spurlock, Steve Gabbard, Emmitt Gabbard, James Gabbard and Steve Parker. Honorary bearers will be Michael Johnson, Aaron Spurlock and Johnathan Durbin.