William Neal Cassity

William Neal Cassity, lifelong resident of Jessamine County, was born to the late Samuel and Mary Jane Miles Cassity. Neal was the beloved husband of Joyce Combs Cassity and the cherished father of William Mark Cassity and his wife, Gina Brown, and Amy Gayle Cassity. He was the proud grandfather of Morgan Elizabeth Anness, William Dean Anness and his fiancée, Baylee Renee Perkins, and William Devin Cassity. His love and adoration extended to his great-grandchildren, Addison Brielle Barnes and Aspen Gayle Gray. He is survived by his two brothers, Samuel Miles Cassity and his wife, Betty Vice Cassity, and Lester Clay Cassity, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends. Neal was a lifelong farmer. He began his career at IBM in Lexington, and after a brief enlistment and later activation in the United States Army Reserve, he returned to IBM, where he continued his employment before leaving to become a builder and developer. “I promise to always be courteous, honest and fair and to be committed to the whole of Jessamine County and to you, its citizen.” These words appeared on Wm. Neal Cassity’s first campaign advertisement and became a promise he lived by every day as Jessamine County Judge/Executive. He filed for Jessamine County Judge/Executive in 1989 and won both the primary and general election, becoming the second County Judge/Executive in Jessamine County. He served honorably for six terms until his retirement in 2015. Having previously served on the Water District Number 1 Water Board, Neal understood the importance of every rural resident having access to city water. This became one of his primary goals and was achieved in 1997 when Jessamine County was awarded a grant to run waterlines to the southeastern section of the county. Historic preservation was also important to Judge Cassity. He sought many grants and was known for always having a project ready when funding became available. Camp Nelson, High Bridge Park, the Old Jail, Valley View Ferry, and the Keene Community Center are just a few of the projects for which he successfully sought funding for construction or reconstruction. Throughout his years of service, he represented Jessamine County on numerous boards, including serving as Chairman of the Kentucky River Authority and Chairman of the Bluegrass Area Development District. He also served with the Jessamine County Health Board, Kentucky River Task Force, and the Kentucky County Judge/Executive Association, and on the board at the Farmers Bank. Locally, Neal was involved with many civic and community organizations, including the Lions Club, Camp Nelson Foundation, Antique Farm Machinery Association, Jessamine County Beef Cattle Association, Jessamine County Democratic Party, and Jessamine County Fair Board, where he was honored in the Hall of Fame. He was the recipient of many awards, including the Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame Award, Bluegrass Trust Community Preservation Award, Kentucky Colonel, Kentucky Admiral, Kentucky Emergency Management Association County Judge of the Year in 2008, Red Cross Jessamine County Hero of the Year Award, YMCA of Central Kentucky Volunteer of the Year Award, Bluegrass Tomorrow Award, and numerous others. Numerous construction projects were the result of his vision for Jessamine County, including the county-wide Recycling Center, Jessamine County Convenience Center, Jessamine County Animal Care & Control, Jessamine County Aquatic Facility, and Jessamine County Senior Center. He was instrumental in obtaining funding for the reconstruction of a block of buildings on South Main Street that had been damaged by fire. These buildings would later house the County Attorney’s Office and state offices and would be named in his honor as The Cassity Building. Public safety was important to Judge Cassity. Under his administration, three EMS stations were built, E911 was brought to Jessamine County, and hazardous duty came to the Jessamine County Sheriff’s Office and EMS. He also served on the committee that was successful in bringing an ambulatory care facility to Jessamine County. Neal was also a man of deep faith and conviction. A lifelong member of Bethany Christian Church, he served faithfully as a deacon, elder, treasurer, and chairman of the church board. In his spare time, Neal enjoyed traveling with his family, spending time at Herrington Lake fishing and boating, and hunting. However, his greatest joy and truest passion was his family. His wife, Joyce, was his soulmate and walked hand in hand with him through every endeavor in life. Together, they were one. People rarely spoke of them separately; they were simply known and loved as Neal and Joyce. The family would like to recognize all who loved Neal, and who were loved by him, as honorary pallbearers. The love he had for his fellow Jessamine Countians extended far beyond what could ever be numbered. Through it all, Judge Cassity never forgot his promise to the people of Jessamine County: “to always be courteous, honest and fair and to be committed to the whole of Jessamine County and to you, its citizen.” Memorial contributions may be made to Bethany Christian Church. Neal was deeply loved by his family, his community, and all who knew him. He will be truly missed. Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM Friday, May 29, 2026, at Betts & West Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery. Bearers will be Will Anness, Dean Anness, Sam Cassity, Dan Combs, Brian Crawford, and John McLean. Visitation will be Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 3:30 PM – 9:00 PM, at the funeral home. Betts & West is honored to serve the Cassity family in their hour of need. An online guestbook is available at www.BettsandWestFuneralHome.com.