Happy Belcher, age 87, husband, dad, papaw, brother, friend, retired coal truck driver, equipment operator and farmer passed away on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at his residence surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on January 29, 1936, to the late Mary Williamson of (Millers Creek) Phyllis, Kentucky. His mother passed away when Happy was 7 and he was raised by his late maternal grandparents, Elbert and Cora Sawyers Williamson of (Millers Creek) Phyllis, Kentucky. In turn, he was raised alongside his aunts and uncles but they had a much closer relationship as brothers and sisters.
In addition to his mother and maternal grandparents, he was preceded in death by one daughter-in-law, Judy Bishop Belcher and one great grandson, Garrett Paul Belcher.
Happy leaves behind a host of people who loved him. He is survived by his loving wife, soul mate and best friend of 69 years, Viola Taylor Belcher (aka Granny Baby or Big Little Chief). He is survived by one son, Stanley (Robin) Belcher of Pikeville, Kentucky, three daughters, Rosemary (Jim) Roberts of Russell, Kentucky, Donna (Danny) Stamper of Olive Hill, Kentucky and Brenda (Tom) Hall of Denton, Kentucky. Happy is survived by one sister, Florida Ann (Gary) Cade of Lucasville, Ohio. He is survived by nine grandchildren, Stanley Paul (Jolinda) Belcher of Olive Hill, Kentucky, Justin Kyle(Bree) Belcher of Steele, Kentucky, Kayla May and Kimberly (Justin) Fannin both of Versailles, Kentucky, Lincoln (Christy) Stamper of Vanceburg, Kentucky, Payton Miller and Parker Miller of Georgetown, Kentucky, Madison Miller of Augusta, Georgia, and Zachary Hall of Raleigh, North Carolina. Happy is survived by eight great grandchildren, Austin May, Lucas Fannin and Sadie Fannin, all of Versailles, Kentucky, Maddison Belcher of Steele, Kentucky, Braxton Stamper and Oaklee Stamper both of Vanceburg, Kentucky, Brooke (Derek) Lawson of Winchester, Kentucky, Ashley Callihan of Olive Hill, Kentucky and one great, great grandchild, Kyleigh Callihan of Olive Hill, Kentucky.
Stanley Paul Belcher, Justin Belcher, Lincoln Stamper, Austin May, Lucas Fannin and Jack Taylor will serve as pallbearers.
Kayla May, Kimberly Fannin, Maddison Belcher, Sadie Fannin, Braxton Stamper, Oaklee Stamper, Garrett Belcher, Judy Belcher, Jim Roberts, Danny Stamper, Tom Hall, Justin Fannin, and Allen Dean will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at Globe Funeral Chapel, 17277 West US Hwy 60, Olive Hill, Kentucky with Brother Terry Dean and Brother Shawn Hatton officiating.
Friends may visit from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 4, 2023, and from 9 a.m. until 12 Noon on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at Globe Funeral Chapel. Graveside service and burial will follow at Annie E. Young Cemetery at 4964 Chloe Road, Pikeville, Kentucky on August 6, 2023, at 1:00 p.m.
