BEAVER DAM, Ky. — Willard J. Key, 88, of Beaver Dam, passed away Tuesday, July 16, 2019, under the care of Hospice of Ohio County. He was born May 9, 1931, in Echols, Kentucky, to the late Thomas M. Key and Maggie Jane Huff Key.
Mr. Key retired from Peabody Coal Company where he worked at Martwick, River Queen and Homestead Mines. He was a member of UMWA Local #9800 and Echols General Baptist Church. Mr. Key served in the United States Army during the Korean War.
Aside from his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, William Key, Everett Key, and Herbert Key, and two sisters, LouAnna Sailings and Margie Ross.
He leaves behind his wife of 66 years, Ina Mae Key, of Hartford, Kentucky; one son, Douglas Key, of Beaver Dam; one daughter, Penelope “Penny” (Jeff) Sims, of Georgetown, Kentucky, and sister, Brenda (Denzel) Scott, of Echols.
Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. Friday, July 19, at William L. Danks Funeral Home in Beaver Dam, Kentucky with Rev. Jamie Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Echols Cemetery in Echols, Kentucky. Friends may visit with Mr. Key’s family from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. until the time of the service Friday at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be left for Mr. Willard J. Key’s family by visiting his memorial page at www.danksfuneralhome.com.