William Clay Bertram Jr., 76, of Vanceburg, departed this world Friday, July 11, 2025.
Born July 21, 1948, to Anne Dudley Keith Bertram and William Clay Bertram Sr., Bill was a 1966 graduate of Lewis County High School and 1970 graduate of Morehead State University. He served in the United States Army following graduation and was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany.
Following completion of his military service, Bill worked as an insurance agent in his father’s agency, before venturing into construction where, for 30+ years, he operated heavy equipment on road, plant, and building projects throughout the Kentucky-Ohio-Indiana tri-state area as well as New Mexico.
Bill was a member of the First Baptist Church of Vanceburg, and an avid fan of the University of Kentucky Wildcats and Cincinnati Bengals. In retirement, he enjoyed reading playing golf, watching westerns and war movies, but most of all finding any reason to be around his daughters and six grandchildren, who affectionately called him “Pop”.
Preceded in death by his mother Anne Dudley Keith Bertram, and father, William Clay Bertram Sr., Bill is survived by his daughters, Leslee Anne Bertram (Jeff Jennings) of Lexington and Ellen Bertram Knoll (Timothy Knoll II) of Cincinnati, Ohio; granddaughters Anne Claire and Audrey Pierce Jennings of Lexington; grandsons Hunter, Tripp, Chase, and Peyton Knoll of Cincinnati, Ohio; sister Elizabeth Bertram Andrews of Maysville; brother Thomas Mitchel Bertram (Anita) of Vanceburg; nephews Alexander Bertram (Heather) of Georgetown, Ohio, Thomas Sewell (Oana Lupu) of Rockville, Maryland, Dudley Sewell (Emily) of Lexington, and Charles Sewell of Maysville; and a host of great-nieces and great-nephews.
Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, July 18, 2025, at Gaydos Funeral Home, 159 Second Street in Vanceburg with Bro. Wes Cooper and Dr. Howard Wilson officiating.
Visitation will be after 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 18, 2025, at Gaydos Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests to the Monte Lewis Stamm VFW Post 5438, PO Box 268, Vanceburg, KY 41179.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gaydosfh.com.




