Walter “Harold” Hedrick of Centennial, Colorado passed away at his home on Monday, January 26, 2015.
Born on October 23, 1919 in Parsons, West Virginia, he is the oldest son of the late Walter Scott Hedrick and Lulu Moore Hedrick. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Pauline Classen, and his youngest brother, Carl Hedrick.
Walter attended school in Parsons, West Virginia and graduated from Parsons High in 1937. He attended West Virginia University School of Agriculture, studying to become a County Agent, but flying was his passion.
He was in grade school when he got his first biplane ride with a barnstormer at the County Fair. His chance to learn to fly came when the government wanted to train pilots, getting ready for war. The Civilian Pilot Training Program was for college students who wanted to become flight instructors. After completing college requirements and pilot training, he became a flight instructor in the Navy in 1944.
Following the war, Walter held down several odd-jobs while utilizing the G.I. Bill to acquire additional ratings and experience. In 1948, he was hired by P.T. Sprayers, a crop dusting company based in Hayes, Kansas. He flew dusters all over the mid-west until 1951 when he was hired by Shell Oil Company as a corporate pilot. He enjoyed flying several different types of aircraft throughout the Rocky Mountain region, retiring in 1974.
Walt loved to fly as a hobby as well as a vocation. Throughout the years, he owned several antique aircraft and was active in the Colorado Chapter of the Antique Aircraft Association and the National Bi-plane Association, and attended many fly-ins around the country.
Walt enjoyed many years of fellowship and worship at Mission Hills Church in Littleton, CO.
Surviving is his wife of 55 years, Ernestine, four children – Scott (Elizabeth), Jeanne (MaryAnn), Steven (Linda), and Jerry (Jennifer). Six grandchildren – Caley (Ben Johns), Tucker, Sarah, Laura, Rebecca and Emily. Also surviving Walter is one brother, Robert, of Alexandria, Virginia.
Memorial service was held Sunday, February 8, 2015. Internment will be at the Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida on March 27, 2015.
