Skip to content

Bill Munford Passes Away



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.

More Stories

  • Applications Are Now Open For Two Scholarships Offered By The UPHA Foundation

    The United Professional Horsemen's Association (UPHA) provides scholarships for high school seniors or freshmen in college who represent the show horse breeds! The scholarships are awarded based on the applicant's merits, including their high school or college transcripts, resume, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and personal references. Read More
  • ASHBA Futurities, Sweepstakes, and Breeders Challenge Classes Move to the All American Horse Classic in Indianapolis for 2024

    The American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) announced today it will move its young horse prize programs—the National Futurity, National Amateur Futurity, Four-Year-Old Sweepstakes, and Breeders Challenge—to Indianapolis for 2024 in conjunction with the All American Horse Classic (AAHC) the second week of September. Read More
  • FoalsNFocus – Week 4

    Here we are with another round of #foalsNfocus and a great variety of photos were submitted. Champion honors this week went to a shot submitted by Leah Borders for owner/breederAmos Fisher. This proud filly is by Newmont’s Roosevelt out of Finding Dory. Read More
  • Latest Issue 4 22 24

    Read More
  • Walk of Honor Expansion Announced

    The American Saddlebred Museum is pleased to announce the expansion of the Museum’s Walk of Honor. This is a great way to honor someone for their contributions and dedication to the American Saddlebred. Read More
  • Professional Advisory Committee Named to Equine Sports Council

    Equine Sports Council is honored to announce its Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) comprised of representatives who are industry leaders in the American Saddlebred, Morgan and Hackney breeds.  Read More
  • Latest Issue 4 15 24

    Read More
  • Kentucky State Fair Update

    The American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) received a letter from the Kentucky State Fair Board (KSFB) yesterday acknowledging that they would not be pursuing a path that would allow them to hold the ASHBA Prize Program classes at the Kentucky State Fair Horse Show in 2024.  Read More
  • FoalsNFocus – Week 3

    We’re in full swing as entries for our weekly contest are being submitted from breeders across the country. This week’s winning shot came from Shale HillStables, Muncie, Illinois. Jan McGlaughlin and family sent this photo of their curious filly by Reedann’s Flying Double out of Forty-TwoSecrets (by Forty-Second Street ERB). Read More
  • Obituary – Jane Blue

    A USEF judge, steward, many times committee member, exhibitor and lover of all things Morgan, our friend Jane Blue passed away Monday, April 8. A tribute obituary will run in an upcoming issue of Saddle Horse Report. Read More