Well known horse show manager William “Bill” Munford passed away on Friday, June 11, 2010, at the age of 77.

Munford was born in Taylor County, Kentucky, on September 28, 1932, son of the late William M. Munford, Sr., and Margaret Campbell Munford. He was a 1949 graduate of Campbellsville High School, received an Associate Science Degree from Campbellsville University, attended the University of Kentucky, was a 1954 graduate of Kentucky School of Mortuary Science, and was a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer since 1955. He also served his country honorably in the United States Air Force.

Munford was a dedicated supporter of the American Saddlebred, and very involved in the industry. In addition to raising Saddlebreds on his 300 acre Taylor County Farm before selling it in 1979, he was also an accomplished horse show manager.

Since managing his first show at the Taylor County Fair in 1958, Munford had reached the pinnacle of success as a horse show manager, managing such shows as the Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show, American Quarter Horse World’s Championship, Pin Oak Charity, Rock Creek, All American Horse World Exposition, Great American Horse Show, Tarheel Classic, St. Louis National Charity, Bonnie Blue National, Music City, and Hollywood Charity, to name a few.

In addition to serving as Manager of the Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show for 28 years, from 2001 on he served as Consultant and Sponsor Coordinator for the show. Since 1996, he was a United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Steward.

Among the honors Munford received throughout his career, some included, but are not limited to, a USEF Sportsmanship Award, United Professional Horseman’s Association Associate Award, induction into the Kentucky State Fair Hall of Fame, ASHA Meritorious Service Award, and ASHA Wing Commander Medal.

Munford was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 50 years, Betty Jane Durham, who passed away on December 22, 2004. He was also preceded in death by his son, David Lynn Munford on June 4, 2010, and two brothers, Donnie R. Munford and Roger L. Munford.

He is survived by two daughters, Jane Miller Munford of Campbellsville, and Debbie jo Scott of Austin, Texas; two granddaughters, Sami Jo Smith of Campbellsville and Beth Scott Kennedy and her husband Craig of Charlottesville, Virginia; one great-grandson, Noah Kennedy; one sister, Raegena Munford Regets and her husband Mike, of Hamilton, Ohio; three sisters-in-law, Carolyn Wethington and her husband, William Allen of Campbellsville, Barbara Jean King of Lexington, Kentucky, and Joanne Trinkle of San Antonio, Texas; and several other relatives and friends.

Visitation is scheduled from 5 PM to 8 PM on Monday, June 14, and services are scheduled for 11 AM on Tuesday, June 15, both at the Parrott & Ramsey Funeral Home in Campbellsville, followed by burial at Brookside Cemetery.