Layton Grant Word

Layton’s family extends a huge thanks to the staff of Deaconess Midtown Hospital who helped care for him.

A native of Todd County, KY, he was born April 1, 1929 to the late Clay Meryl and Mae Lee (Norman) Word. Layton started helping his mother with household chores at age five and graduated to plowing for his dad with a team of horses at age eight. He started at New Idea School and then Lacy School but quit after the 3rd grade because the tobacco processing forced him to miss classes and his grades suffered. Tired of flunking school and farming the tobacco patch, Layton sold his bicycle for $5 in 1944 and used that money to pay for a bus ride to Evansville, IN where he boarded with the parents of his uncle, JW (Flora Ann) Davis for $7.00/week. He found a job on his second day in Evansville at the Hartford Bakery (later Lewis Bakery & Bunny Bread) making $0.50/hour. Layton worked three years before getting a $0.10 raise but ultimately moved up in the bakery performing numerous jobs from maintenance to assistant plant manager and retired in June 1983 after 39 years of service.

In 1970, Layton founded Arrow Termite & Pest Control during the time he was still working evening shift at the bakery. He grew Arrow during the daytime and any additional free time. Today, this remains a solid business now in its fourth generation. Layton retired in 1990.

After his second retirement, Layton pursued his passion of owning, training and racing standard pace horses at Riverside Downs, Fairmount Park, Louisville Downs, The Red Mile, Raceway Park, and Dover Downs. He enjoyed traveling to train and compete. One of his favorite horses was Rambling Hillbilly. He sold out of this business venture in 1996.

Layton married Hilda Dean (Crane) Myers in August 1999 and they enjoyed spending time with their family. He was the biggest supporter of his grandchildren and great- grandchildren for sporting events and business endeavors. Layton loved to exercise, garden, and was a faithful member of Howell General Baptist Church believing in Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior and serving this body of believers for many years.

He was preceded in death by son, Stanley Merle Word; sister, Catherine Louise Word; brothers, Glendel Ray (Ola) Word, Carl Wade (Willie) Word, Herbert Clay (Della) Word, Maxie Lee Word, and Billy Joe Word; son-in-law, Stanton Rigney; nephews, Danny Ray (Anita) Word and Stephen Ray Word.

Layton is survived by his wife of 25 years, Hilda Word; daughter, Cathy Lela (Louis II) Wilson; daughter-in-law, Sue Word; step-sons, Richard Scott (Kathleen) Myers and David Wayne (Deneen) Myers; grandsons, Derrick Todd (Kara) Word; Jeremy Grant (Stacie) Word; granddaughters, Erica Beth (Mark) Meier, Amy Lynn Wathen (Eric) Hackworth; step-grandsons, Louis Wilson III, Austin (Makayla) Myers, step- granddaughters, Sara Myers, Lauren (Kevin) Meunier, Hannah (Jacob) Tennyson; 10 great-grandchildren; 4 step-great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

We cherish these and many other memories of this great man.

A public celebration of Layton’s life will take place at 12 Noon on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Howell General Baptist Family Life Center, 1520 Delmar Ave, Evansville, IN, 47712.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to Howell General Baptist Church, 1520 Delmar Ave, Evansville, IN, 47712.

Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderWestChapel.com.