Willis Ted Hood, 91, died Dec. 26, 2025 in Glen St. Mary, Fla.
Known to many as Ted, he lived a life defined by service, generosity, and quiet strength. Born April 25, 1934 into humble beginnings as the eldest of five children on a small farm in Monroe County, he learned early the value of hard work, responsibility, and caring for others. He attended college for two years at Western Kentucky University, then entered the United States Navy. There he participated in Operation Redwing, the historic Pacific tests of the hydrogen bomb. During his service, he was assigned to the ship’s dentist. That unexpected placement revealed both a talent and a calling, shaping the rest of his life. While serving his country, he also served his family, faithfully sending money home so his younger siblings could continue their education. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Western Kentucky University to pursue his education on the GI Bill. While there, he met the love of his life, Aileen Clay, a gifted and beautiful musician. They married upon graduation and he continued his dental studies at the University of Louisville. With his dental degree in hand, the couple settled in Mt. Sterling, where they built their home, raised their children, and became deeply woven into the fabric of the community. He practiced dentistry in Mt. Sterling for many years and donated his skills and time to Hope Hill Children’s Home, fostering two children from the home. He remained committed to community service through decades of involvement with the Rotary Club and a pen pal prison ministry for inmates. In recognition of his exceptional community service, he was awarded the Paul Harris Award, one of Rotary’s highest honors. He also served on the local school board, chairing it for many years, and took great pride in personally handing both of his daughters their high school diplomas.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Aileen; daughters, Melody Bussey and Maria Hood; foster son, William E. “Ed” Mitchell; grandchildren, Mason and Kris Bussey, Carolyn Finch, Trey Mitchell, D’Etta Kyle, Jennifer Fadal and Stephanie Litton; and 15 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by foster son, Russell Paine.
A celebration of life memorial will be held in the spring at the family cemetery in Virginia.
Those fortunate enough to know him remember him as kind, intelligent and a deeply caring man whose faith and character set a sterling example. The world is a little less bright without him in it.
