William Harry Hagan was born in 1916, the son of Henry Hart and Florence Woodward Hagan. He received his elementary education at Bethlehem Academy and graduated from high school in the 1933 class of St. Joe Prep., Bardstown, Kentucky. He married Louise (Hagan) Hagan October 4, 1941 at St. Catherine Church, New Haven, Ky. They are parents of five children: Rev. Harry Hagan, OSB, monk of St. Meinrad Archabbey, Mary Lou Montagna of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Felicia Marie Ferrara of New Orleans, Louisiana, Sidney Hagan of Bardstown, Kentucky, and Gracie Hagan of Dayton, Ohio.

Sergeant William Harry Hagan was inducted into the United States Army in April 1943. He was sent to Camp Shelby, Mississippi where he joined the 69th Infantry Division as Instrument Corporal of Company D of 272nd Infantry of the 69th. In November 1944 the Division sailed for Europe. Hagan, with the 69th Division, fought in several important battles before the surrender of Germany in May 1945. He received Expert Infantry Badge and also the Bronze Star. He was discharged in 1946.

For 43 years he was partner in Hagan's Dairy and BG&H Dairy as well as other business, and Cloverleaf Farm. A friend to many, he helped a number of people establish themselves as businessmen in Nelson County.

William Harry Hagan has served as a member of: