Joseph ‘Bernie’ Cecil, 82, of Owensboro, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at home surrounded by his family while under the care of Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky. He was born on May 9, 1943 in Knottsville, KY to the late Claude and Thelma Cecil. He retired from Southwire-Kentucky plant and was a faithful member of BridgePointe Church. He enjoyed woodworking, hunting, fishing, trips to Gatlinburg, and most of all spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Bernie was preceded in death by his siblings, Larry, David, Darrell, JR, Owen, Robert, Mary, Patty, Margie, Ruthie, and Debbie.
Survivors include his wife, Wanda Cecil; two sons, Bernard Wayne Cecil (Julia) and Kenneth John Austin (Gaynelle); five grandchildren, Joseph ‘Joe’ Cecil (Karli), Lexie Cecil, Samantha Brown (Jarred), Shane Haire (Mollie), and Kaitlyn Mayes (Travis); seven great-grandchildren, Annmarie Brown, Adalynn Brown, Ellie Haire, Emmelyn Haire, Hudson Case Haire, Lincoln Mayes, and Madison Mayes.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00pm on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at James H. Davis Funeral Home & Crematory. Visitation will be from 9:00am until the time of the service on Saturday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to BridgePointe Church Renovation Fund, 2672 Frederica Street, Owensboro, KY 42301.