William "Bill" H. Hayden

William H. “Bill” Hayden passed away on February 2, 2025, at the age of 87. He was born to Clyde and Flossie Hayden on his family’s farm, now known as Hayden Brother’s Farms, in Nicholasville, KY on February 28,1937.

Bill spent most of his life as a resident of his beloved hometown. He worked for International Harvester before he founded The Hayden Company, Inc. in 1966 and built a company with core values of family, community, honesty, integrity and respect.  He was a longtime member of the Board of Directors at The Farmers Bank of Nicholasville. He continued to serve both institutions up through the last week of his life. Bill was also an accomplished fisherman with the Thoroughbred Bass Club.  He was a KY State Bass Fishing Tournament winner.  He was a constant supporter of FFA, for which he previously served as a Kentucky FFA State Treasurer (1954-1955) and Bluegrass District President (1953-1955).  He loved to attend the livestock sales and bought enough livestock to stock a small farm from young future farmers.  He was an avid dog lover, a UK fan and an expert pancake maker on Christmas morning!

He is survived by his wife, Linda; brother, Wayne; children, Andi, Bart, Tony, Nikki, and step-son, John; 15 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.   He is preceded in death by parents, Clyde and Flossie Hager Hayden; sister, Gail Hayden; and son, Wayne Hayden.  Bill was a Friend, Brother, Husband, Dad, and Poppy, and he will be greatly missed.

A private service will be held at Hager and Cundiff with a Celebration of Life at Clark Legacy on Brannon on Friday, February 7, 2025.  Family members from 4:00-5:00 pm and all others friends from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in honor of Bill Hayden to the Jessamine County FFA Alumni for a scholarship he sponsored.  Checks can be made payable to the Jessamine County FFA Alumni and sent to JCTC at 881 Wilmore Road, Nicholasville.

Donations can also be made to the Jessamine County Animal Shelter at 120 Fairground Way, Nicholasville.

This obituary was lovingly submitted by Bill’s family. All arrangements are under the direction of Hager & Cundiff Funeral Home and we would like to express our deepest sympathy to the Hayden family and friends.