William Cathey

William ' Chester' Cathey, age 88, of Paducah, KY, passed away at 7:58 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at Lourdes Hospital.

Chester was a longtime member of Highland Cumberland Presbyterian Church and attended Bible Baptist Church, he was a retired pipefitter and welder having worked construction for TVA, Martin Marietta, West Vaco and Bass Construction, was a 40 year plus member of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 184 and was a US Navy WWII Veteran having served on a amphibious landing craft. Chester was an avid outdoorsman, he provided joy and pleasure to many people by displaying Christmas lights at his home on Bleich Rd. He loved working in the yard, planting gardens and providing for his family. He truly loved his children and his grandkids were his pride and joy "PawPaw" to them could do or fix anything and he truly could. The places he worked all had such respect for him and he was "foreman" or "boss" for lots of people and had so many friends. He had many nicknames through the years. Some knew him as Chigger, Chet and Ches. His life was a tribute to all people. He never wanted anything, only wanting to do for others and always did. He is now receiving his reward in Heaven. We rejoice in that joy.

Chester is survived by two daughters, Karen Bryan and husband Mike of Lone Oak, KY and Lisa Parker and husband Jeff of Lone Oak, KY; a son, William Lee Cathey of Lone Oak, KY; seven grandchildren, Trevor Cathey, Jason Robert Howell, Ashlee Bryan, Kyle Michael Cooper, Brandon Lee Cooper, Tyler Parker and Tanner Parker; nine great grandchildren, Lane Howell, Kaleigh Howell, Logan Cooper, Miles Cooper, Tinslee Cooper, Emma Cooper, Lilly Cooper, Presley Parker and Berkley Parker; two sisters, Dorothy Nell Lawrence of Paducah, KY and Christine Ivey of Canton, OH and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Emma Louise Duncan Cathey, four sisters and four brothers. His parents were William Arthur and Hattie Ann Smithers Cathey.


Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with Rev. Brent Ballow officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens with Naval Military Honors. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2015 at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to: Emma Cathey Scholarship Fund C/O Highland Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 3950 Lovelaceville Rd. Paducah, KY 42001.