William Arnold Hedrick “Bill”, 80 of Rockwell passed away on February 9, 2025 peacefully at his home. Mr. Hedrick was born on July 7, 1944 in North Platte, NE.

William was the fourth child to Lowell “Jack” and Agnes “Pat” McNeel Hedrick. He moved to Gering, NE with his family and then back to North Platte in 1955. he attended Cody Grade School, North Platte Junior High and Senior Schools. He served in the United States Army from April 6, 1962 to June 29, 1982. He served with the 5th Special Forces and 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, NC before being deployed to South Vietnam with the 1st Infantry.

William qualified for Special Forces serving with the 1st Special Forces Group after Vietnam in Okinawa, and the 5th and 7th Special Forces groups in Fort Bragg, NC. William was assigned a tour in Stuttgart, W. Germany from 1977-1980 with USEUCOM 7th Army before his retirement in 1982.

He was awarded the following: Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Campaign Service Medal with 60 Device, Mast Parachute Badge, Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with PALM, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Vietnam Civil Action Medal, Valorous Unit Citation, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Bronze Star, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal (6 Awards).

William married Mieko Shimabukuro on May 19, 1969 in Naha City, Okinawa. They had two sons, Wayne Vernon Hedrick and Joseph William Hedrick.

He later married Charlene Summerlin.

William lived in Fayetteville, NC with his third wife Hazel, was employed with the Veterans Administration Medical Center and was active in Civil War Reenactments and riding motorcycles.

He retired from the VAMC May 27, 2005. In 2008 he and Hazel enjoyed full time RVing until William had a stroke March 9, 2016. They continued to live in their motor home until his health was declining and they moved into an apartment in Rockwell, NC where he found Jesus who called him home.

William is preceded in death by his parents, Lowell Vernon Hedrick and Agnes Marie Hedrick; sister, Doris Dotson; brother in law, Wayne Dotson; nephew, David Dotson; niece, Nancy Hedrick Crabtree; brothers, James “Jim” Hedrick and John “Jack” Hedrick.

William is survived by his wife, Hazel Hedrick; sons, Wayne Hedrick of Aylett, VA and Joseph Hedrick (Ashley) of Kittrell, NC; grandchildren, Barbara Marie, Joseph Vernon Hedrick, Emily Regina Hedrick, Ellen Sederlin (David), Shelby Sederlin, Marc Sederlin, Gale Hopping, Tonja Bohling (John), JW Bohling, AnnaBohling, and several nieces and nephews.

There will be a memorial service on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Trading Ford Baptist Church, 3600 Long Ferry Road Salisbury, NC 28146.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or to the Gary Sinese Foundation PO Box 40726 Nashville, TN 37204

Carolina Cremation is honored to serve the Hedrick family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.