William E. Dexter, 84, of Madisonville, KY passed away at 2:23 p.m. on Monday, January 28, 2013 at Baptist Health Madisonville.

He was born on June 11, 1928 in Earlington, KY to the late Noka John Dexter and Frank Dexter. He graduated from Mortons Gap High and then joined the United States Army where he served with the 537th Engineering Base Survey Company. While stationed in Hawaii he attended engineering school followed by extensive time in several South Pacific Islands. He worked as a mining engineer with West Kentucky Coal Company and Island Creel Coal Company. He later retired with Freeman United Coal Company in Illinois as the Manager of Administration in charge of the Industrial Engineering Department. He attended Emanuel Baptist Church in Madisonville.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Avis Hinckle and his son-in-law, Ronnie Dickerson.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-five years, Jeanette Dexter; his daughter, Brenda (Glen) Dickerson Shaw of Hanson, KY; his grandson, Bill (Angela) Dickerson of Madisonville; his granddaughter, Tara Skaggs of Hanson; two great-grandsons, Ronnie Skaggs and Ben Dickerson both of Madisonville;and his great-granddaughter, Shari Dickerson of Madisonville.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 31, 2013 in the chapel of Harris Funeral Home in Madisonville with Bro. Andy Hailey officiating. Military honors will be conducted graveside by the Hopkins County Honor Guard. Burial will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Madisonville.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday and from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour Thursday at Harris Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Glen Shaw, Bill Dickerson, Roger Skaggs, Ronnie Skaggs, Jason Shaw and Randy Franklin.