Area businessman Ward F. Correll died last Thursday at the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital at the age of 88.

Correll was one of the most recognizable area business leaders and was often in Albany and Clinton County, either checking on his business holdings here, or making donations to various groups or projects, usually when those projects would benefit local youth.

Correll died six weeks after he was hospitalized following what authorities had said were accidental gunshot wounds that he suffered at his home in early March.

Among his business holdings was an oil and gas distributorship that included a host of Shell service stations, a shopping center in Somerset and a life insurance company.

In addition to his vast business holdings in his hometown of Somerset, Correll also owned business interests in Albany and Clinton County through the past several years.

Most recently, he was a partner with local businessman, the late Keith Garrett, in a Shell station in south Albany known as Quick Mart Shell.

Correll would frequently appear in Albany to hand out donations to a host of groups and project leaders.

He gave several thousands of dollars to the Clinton County High School athletic department when the football program was being renewed, investing so much in the program that ultimately the dressing room and weight training facility located adjacent to Bulldog Field came to be named the Ward F. Correll Athletic Complex.

Correll also was known to give significant amounts to the Albany Little League baseball and softball summer youth programs and several seasons ago, was invited to be recognized for those donations by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Opening Day event marking the start of the season.

Just last year in April, Correll arrived in Albany to give $5,000 to the Healthy Hometown effort that was ongoing at the time when the new playground equipment was being purchased and installed at Mountain View Recreation Park.

Funeral services for Correll were held Tuesday at the First Baptist Church in Somerset, with the Lake Cumberland Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.