Ray D. Hedrick, Jr.

Private Services were held for Ray D. Hedrick Jr., of Grafton, who passed away on April 15, 2018 at the age of 97 years. Ray was born in Polo, Illinois on April 15, 1921, the son of the late Ray D. and Letta (nee Davison) Hedrick. Ray “Dick” Hedrick married Wanda Orr while attending Illinois Wesleyan and they remained married for over 70 years. They were blessed with 3 children. Ray loved animals, gardening and the Big Band Era. He even played his trombone in a Big Band. Ray was especially proud of being a WWII veteran during April 12, 1943 to July 19, 1945 as a B-17 pilot. He piloted four engine bomber B-17 and also inspected the aircrafts. He commanded a crew of ten men in flight. Ray was a flight commander of 12 aircrafts on 11 combat missions and was an instructor in B-17’s for months. In 1961, Dick and Wanda, along with their three boys, moved to Grafton, WI, and opened a Ben Franklin Store in the Twin City Plaza until their retirement in 1987, the store was sold and became Banner Crafts. Ray also was a former PTA and Loins Club President Ray is survived by his sons, David (Nan) Hedrick of California, Mark Hedrick of Grafton, Kim (Joanne) Hedrick of Grafton, other relatives and friends.