Dr. Howard H. Willen, of Hopkinsville, KY died on his 87th birthday, July 17, 2024, at his residence.
Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, July 26, 2024, at Hopkinsville First United Methodist Church with burial to follow in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the service hour. Hughart, Beard & Giles Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
A native of Cumberland County, Kentucky he was born July 17, 1937, the son of the late Claude Willen and Maltie Leona Garner Willen. Dr. Willen graduated from Cumberland County High School in 1956, Lindsey Wilson College in 1958, and Kentucky Wesleyan College in 1960. He received his Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Seminary in 1965 and later went on to Presbyterian Seminary to complete his Doctor of Ministry in 1976.
Dr. Willen was ordained by the Methodist Church as a Deacon in 1962 and an Elder in 1965. He served as President of the Kentucky Council of Churches; was a Delegate to General and Jurisdictional Conferences of the United Methodist Church; and served on several State Commissions, Conferences, and Church Boards. He also served as Delegate to the World Methodist Conference in 1981 and British Methodist Conference in 1985; and was a member of the National Council of Churches Governing Board.
Dr. Willen served the following churches and appointments: Spottsville Methodist 1958-1960; Cedar Grove Methodist 1960-1962; Stovall Methodist 1962-1967; Hawesville United Methodist 1967-1972; Middletown United Methodist 1971-1977; Hopkinsville First United Methodist 1977-1983; Superintendent of Louisville North District 1983-1985; Settle Memorial United Methodist 1985-1989; Director of the United Methodist Children’s Home 1989-1994; and Lexington First United Methodist 1994-2000. He retired as an active member of the Kentucky Annual Conference in 2000 and would then serve as the Director of Pastoral Ministries at Hopkinsville First United Methodist from 2002-2012.
In addition to his parents, Dr. Willen was preceded in death by his brothers: Paul and J.E. Willen.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years: Helen Willen; his sons: H. Douglas (Carla) Willen of Hopkinsville, KY, and Tony (Cindy) Willen of Clarkson, KY; his grandchildren: Kelsey (Mike) Malloy, Megan (Glen) Clemons, Tyler (Shea) Willen, Wade (Amy) Willen, and Kari (Cole) Eason; his great-grandchildren: Riley Clemons, Carson Clemons, Cooper Willen, Charlotte Malloy, Sawyer Willen, Clay Malloy, and Griffin Malloy, baby Eason due in October, and baby Willen due in November; his sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; several nieces and nephews; and many special friends.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Kentucky United Methodist Children’s Homes P.O. Box 930, Nicholasville, KY 40340, or First United Methodist Church 1305 S. Main Street, Hopkinsville, KY 42240.
