William Clayton Hedden

Bill Hedden 1943-2017 William Clayton Hedden, born 1943 in Miami, Florida to Lyman (Buddy) and Edna Hedden, passed away on May 23 with his Bride of 56 years, Melody, at his side. He is survived by his wife Melody Hedden, brother, Eddie Hedden (Sara), daughters Cindie Pollard (Shawn), Kelly Hedden Kelly(Don), Missy Hedden and Carissa Hedden; eight grandchildren, Danielle Hedden, William R. Hedden, Christina McCandless, Michael Strange, Joseph Repici, Melody Repici, Joel Pollard and Steven Hedden; seven great-granchildren Mikey, Jaiden, Rylan, Addie, Cami, Lincoln and Bellamy; nephews Jim Hedden and Michael Hedden In his last few days, Bill was surrounded with the love of his beloved family including his wife, four (4) daughters (poor guy), all grandchildren, great-grandchildren and his honorary grandsons Tim, Bryant and William. Bill was a beloved son, brother, husband, father & grandfather and a friend to many. He was a very kind and generous man who helped MANY people, who loved his family and was very proud of each one. No matter who you were, if you needed help, in any way shape or form, he was there. No matter what your faults, he continued to love and provide. He went without, so we could have. For nearly 56 years of marriage, Bill and Melody stuck together, through thick and thin, in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, and through many good times and some bad. Loving each other til the very end when he squeezed her hand letting her know, it's okay. Bill attended and graduated Miami Edison High School in 1961 and married Melody Murray on August 5, 1961. He was a skilled concrete finisher for over 40 years, mostly in that hot Miami sun. Later he was the Maintenance Supervisor at Spanish Oaks in Ocala, FL for 10 years. He poured many of the floors that South Floridians and some Ocalan's walk on everyday. Bill loved any type of car racing, watched all sports and most importantly loved, loved FISHING. He always said he was most comfortable in and on the water, especially in Biscayne Bay, where he and his brother Eddie would fish and run everyday from dawn til dusk in their small skiff, when they were kids. He knew every inch of nautical mapping from North Carolina to Key West, both east and west, like the back of his hand. Bill was also a member of the Demolay as a youth, and later a long standing member of the American Honky Tonk Bar Association, where he gained many friends and created and lived many adventures and stories. Our husband, brother, father, grandfather and friend will be sorely missed. He was a great man. Memorial Service and Celebration of life will be held in South Florida on June 10. For further information, please email [email protected] or comment below with your contact information. Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be sent to Hospice of Marion County, Ocala, Florida, whom we give great admiration and appreciation to for the loving and tender care they provided to Dad.