Ila Gail Fortner

Ila Gail Fortner, a Williamstown resident and lifelong resident of Lexington, KY, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 26, 2023 in Williamstown, KY at the age of 74.

Gail was born on March 28, 1949 to the late Gayle and Irene Loving Fortner.  She was a graduate from Williamstown High School, Eastern KY University and the University of KY.  She formerly worked as a student advisor for Fugazzi Business College.  Gail retired after nearly 40 years as the Director of Student Services at the UK College of Human Environmental Sciences. Gail was a member of the Williamstown Baptist Church and in her youthful years was a very active, athletic woman who enjoyed playing sports such as soccer, softball and English Horseback Riding.  She was proud to be the first female black belt in the art of Shaolin-Do karate through the Sin The Karate School in Lexington, KY.  She also was the founder of three karate schools in eastern KY where she loved to work with children.  In her free time, she was very active with the Lexington Woman's Club and their Follies program.

Although Gail had no children of her own, she was very proud to claim her nieces and nephews as her own.  She loved and cared for them as her own.  She is survived by one nephew Chris (Angie) Fortner, four nieces, Nicole (Dan) Zaluski, Kelli (Scott) Wilson, Katie (Cody) McLafferty, Chelsea (Taylor) Hill, two brothers, Keith (Judy) Fortner, David (Sharon) Fortner, two sisters, Pat (Dennis) West, Jackie Fortner, seven great nephews and three great nieces.

Visitation will be Friday, June 2, 2023 from 1-3pm at the Elliston - Stanley Funeral Home in Williamstown, KY.  Funeral services will be at 3pm.  Burial will follow at the Hill Crest Cemetery in Dry Ridge, KY.  Bro. Scott Switzer will be officiating services.  Memorials are suggested to the B.L Ballard Scholarship Program or the Lexington Woman's Club.