William E. "Bill" "Sonny" Groves Obituary (1934 - 2018)

William E. 'Bill' 'Sonny' Groves, 84, of Madisonville, KY passed away peacefully on Monday, October 8, 2018 at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, IN. He was born October 25, 1934, in Hopkins County, KY to the late Vossie and Gracie Groves. He is also preceded in death by four brothers; Roy, Jay, Vossie Groves, and John Hall, and two sisters; Rose Appleby and Johnnie Ruth Benton. Bill loved to love people and his pride and joy was his family which included his wife of 63 years, Sue Groves, two sons; Jeff (Linda) Groves, Robert (Kathy) Groves, one daughter; Janet (Danny) Sharber, seven grandchildren; Jamie (Dustin) Knight, Jill (Luke) Carlton, Clint (Erin) Sharber, Zac Groves, Kyle (Ashly) Groves, Kerry (Holley) Sharber, Will Groves and 10 great grandchildren. Bill's life included a very successful career. He was employed at Kentucky Utilities Company for 20 years before he purchased a small business which is now William E Groves Construction. Until his death, Bill was at the office daily visiting and meeting as many employees possible, teaching them the importance of hard work. Bill was an avid fan of St Louis Cardinals and loved going to UK basketball games, but even more he loved watching his great grandchildren in any sport or activity they were involved. Bill had a passion for cattle farming. He could be found on the farm daily, making the rounds, checking on the cattle and helping with any task at hand. He was also a member of Earlington First Baptist Church, the National Guard, the Shriners, past Master of the Masonic Lodge in Earlington, and an Old National Bank board member. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, October 12, 2018 at Barnett-Strother Funeral Home with Pastor George Brooks officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Earlington. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Thursday and from 10:00 A.M. until service time Friday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Clint Sharber, Kerry Sharber, Kyle Groves, Zac Groves, Will Groves, and Luke Rideout. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that memorial contributions be made to the Shriner's Hospital or Madisonville Community College Lineman School, Attn: Mike Davenport.