Wiley Orth Hedrick

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Monday January 27, 2014 at Davidson Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Clyde Akers officiating. The family will receive friends 30 minutes prior to the service. Wiley graduated class of 1942 Lexington HS, where he was active in football. After graduation, Wiley proudly served in the Marine Corps during WWII. A favorite aunt who worked at Wennonah with the rest of the family inspired him to embrace education opportunities. So after the war and a lift from the GI Bill, he graduated with a degree in Education from Trinity University, San Antonio TX. He furthered his education with a Masters in Education from Arizona State University in Mesa AZ as well as a Doctorate of Education from Utah State University in Logan UT. For over 40 years, he dedicated his career to helping others improve their lives through education, as a teacher during the Korean War at Zama Air Base in Japan, in Bladensburg MD, and with the Navajo and Hopi Indians in Window Rock AZ. He was also a school principal in Sanders AZ, Second Mesa AZ, and assistant Superintendent of Schools in Chinle AZ and Kayenta AZ school districts. He loved working with the youth, both as a teacher, principal and also coaching Football, Basketball and as a game referee. He worked in building confidence and social skills with the Navajo youth as well, establishing a Native American Club and College education track for Native Americans. He is proceeded in death by his wife of 43 years Josephine Hedrick, brothers Charlie Lee and William “Brud” Virgil. He is survived by his son Orth Hedrick, of Orange CA, a niece and cousins, Sarah Styers and Jerry Hedrick of Lexington. The family wishes to thank the Carolina House and an especially warm and sincere note of appreciation to the staff of Alston Brook for their compassionate and caring support during his final days. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Communities in Schools, 6 E. 4th Street b Lexington, NC 27292