Rev. Walter N. Hedrick

Rev. Walter Nathaniel Hedrick, 88, was called home by God on Thursday, August 19, 2021, at OSU James Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.  Walter was born on November 3, 1932, in Asheboro, North Carolina to James Walter Hedrick from Asheboro, North Carolina and Priscilla McMorris from Newberry, South Carolina, and he was the third child and oldest son.

In his youth, Walter received his education in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and in Columbus, Ohio.  After school, he began working at a tobacco company helping his father. Later on, Walter moved to Columbus, Ohio and stayed with his Uncle Sylvester “Mac” McMorris and Aunt Hattie.  He received guidance from Helen Young, his Aunt and Mother Byrdie Williams, his Godmother from Alabama, who gave him the nickname, “Baby Boy.”  At an early age, Walter accepted Christ in his life.

As a young adult, Walter was drafted in the United States Army and became an Army Private First Class.  While in the army, Walter sent money to his parents in order to help take care of them.  He loved his mother and father.  Later, he met Vera Lee Boyd from Hollow Rock, Tennessee, whom he later married in Columbus, Ohio and had 5 beautiful children.

 Throughout the years, Walter held various jobs.  He worked for The Columbus Dispatch delivering newspapers, worked at a gas station, worked for Dayton Malleable Iron Company for 29 ½ years, he worked at Heritage Nursing Home, and at The Ohio State Hospital for 10 years, until he retired. He was also an entrepreneur and owned an apartment complex.  One thing for sure, Walter was a hard worker.

Apart from work, Walter loved to cook and grill. He cooked for his family, friends, and for members of the church.  He was known for finger licking good chicken.  The chicken was so good and tender that the meat fell off the bone.  In addition, he loved making homemade pineapple upside down cake and his famous peach cobbler.

Most notably, Walter became a Reverend and served the Lord. He knew the word of God and often taught it. He was helpful to others and helped his Godmother, Mother Williams run her business.

 Walter enjoyed his family and friends.  He enjoyed conversations with his neighbors, Mrs. Lucy, Mr. Pierce, his extended family members Anna Mae Boyd, Kathleen Holmes, Delores Boyd, his cousins Joann Watson, and Doris Brown.  In addition, Walter was a fan of basketball and football and he loved watching basketball and football games, he loved crossword puzzles, playing board games with his grandchildren, such as monopoly, chess, and checkers. He loved to sit in the floor and play games with his son  Irvin.  He loved making sure his grandchildren were taken care of and he often assisted in dropping them off and picking them up from school.

Walter is survived by his former wife, Vera Hedrick, and their children, Phyllis (Ann) Hedrick, Irvin M. Hedrick, Theresa E. Hedrick, Toni C. Hedrick Woods, Frederick A. Hedrick. In addition, his oldest son. Grandchildren, Anna M. Hairston, Christina L. Hairston, Elisaha J. Hairston, and Zechariah J. Hairston.  Great-Grandchild, Darien L. Shelton that he loved dearly.  God-Daughter, Denise (Earlene) Reed, Brother-in laws, Harmon Hinton and Ben Parker and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members and friends.

Walter was preceded in death by his father, James Walter Hedrick, mother, Priscilla Hedrick, six sisters, Mary Hedrick, Jane Dell Ray, Evelyn LaFretta Hedrick, Edna Arnita Fries, Hattie Louise Parker, Willie Mae (Ferrell) Hedrick, and one brother, Edward Hedrick.

PUBLIC WALKTHROUGH 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

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PRIVATE Visitation 11:30 AM

PRIVATE Funeral Service 12:30 PM Friday, September 3, 2021 at MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave. (one block east of Noe Bixby, turn North on Lonsdale Rd.). Interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

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