GREENVILLE – Harry “HL” Leoland Anderson, Jr., age 86, of Greenville, died Sunday, April 12, 2026, surrounded by his family. HL was a lifelong resident of Greenville with deep roots in the area, having descended from Civil War veteran James Leonard Anderson, Jr. of southeast Muhlenberg County and the Logan County Revolutionary War soldier, Leonard Anderson. Like his father Harry, Sr., HL’s love for the outdoors was rooted in the Mud River farm of his great-grandfather, Leonard Hackett Anderson. HL hiked and hunted his family property and fished nearly every body of water in Muhlenberg County.
From senior class president of the GHS class of 1958, president of the band and varsity basketball player, to Greenville School board, long-time member and past president of the Lions Club, deacon at both First and Second Baptist Churches, and a Kentucky Colonel, HL was a pillar of the Greenville community throughout his life.
He married his beloved Jan and established his household in 1963 after studying chemistry at both Western Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky. HL was a faithful Christian leader of his family and at FBC where he worshiped and taught numerous Sunday school classes, mentored boys and young men, and was an ever-present member of the adult choir. HL was actively engaged in the lives of his children despite working primarily on third shift at River Queen Mine. He never missed an opportunity to care for his parents in their senior years, grill the “fatted calf” for the family, or plant and harvest a garden full of diverse vegetables. He and Jan spent their empty-nest years regularly and simultaneously hosting all their children’s families, including nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Life was about family and service, and the couple poured themselves into it. HL’s hard work, dedicated service, peace-making, and generosity with his time, talents, and resources were virtues cherished by friends and family alike.
HL was preceded in death by his father, Harry Leoland Anderson, Sr.; mother, Joyce Ross Anderson; and brother, James William Anderson. Left to cherish HL’s legacy include his wife of 63 years, Janet Bivins Anderson; sons, Eric (Diana) and Aaron (Maureen); daughter Amy (Chad) Hadley; grandchildren Sarah (Jason) Yancey, Jessica (Alex) Brown, Audrey (Jamie) Crampton, Joseph (Millie) Anderson, Lela Grace (Jonathan) George, Michael Anderson, Julia Anderson, Paden Hadley, Eden (Noah) Mason; great-grandchildren Ella, Nora, Lydia, Ras, Gavin, Peter, Patrick, Mary, Hope, Roland, Clara Mae, Evelyn, and baby Mason; sister in-law, Wanda Chandler Anderson, and nieces Valerie (Dean) Brown and Vicki (Ray Garcia) Anderson; great-niece Gola Anderson-Garcia.
There will be a celebration of a life well-lived at 1 PM on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at Greenville Second Baptist Church with Bro. Bob Thurman officiating. Visitation will begin prior to the service at 10 AM Thursday morning. The burial will be at Greenville’s Evergreen cemetery on East Main Cross immediately following the service.
