Finley F. Begley, a longtime member of the EKCEP Workforce Investment Board (WIB), died Wednesday, July 9, at the Hazard ARH Hospital. He was 78.

Mr. Begley, a Hazard resident, had served as a member of EKCEP’s WIB since the board's inception following the enactment of the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998. Prior to then, Mr. Begley had been a member of EKCEP’s Private Industry Council, the precursor to the WIB.

"Finley was steadfast and faithful in his service to EKCEP and our WIB, and was firmly dedicated to our mission to help find jobs for people, and people for jobs in our 23-county service area," EKCEP Executive Director Jeff Whitehead said. "His ideas, encouragement, and pleasant attitude will be greatly missed by all of us."

Mr. Begley’s complete obituary appears below.


Finley F. Begley, 78, of Hazard, died Wednesday, July 9, at the Hazard ARH Hospital. Mr. Begley was director of the Hazard Vocational School, a longtime educator, and real estate broker. Mr. Begley is survived by his wife, Geneva; two sons, Arthur Begley of Lexington and Carl Begley of Georgia; one daughter, Anita Begley of Richmond; one granddaughter, and four grandsons.

Visitation will be held at Engle-Walker Funeral Home, 301 East Main Street, Hazard, KY, on Saturday, July 12, from 6-9 p.m. Funeral services will take place at Engle-Walker Funeral Home on Sunday, July 13, at 11 a.m.