Ray D. Hedrick

Ray D. Hedrick Jr., 95, of Grafton died from heart failure at Columbia St. Mary’s Ozaukee Hospital in Mequon on Sunday, April 15.

Mr. Hedrick was born in Polo, Ill., on April 15, 1921, to Ray D. and Letta Davison Hedrick.

While attending Illinois Wesleyan University, he married Wanda Orr. The couple was married for more than 70 years until she preceded him death in 2014.

According to Mr. Hedrick’s family, he loved animals, gardening and music from the Big Band era, as he played trombone in a big band.

Mr. Hedrick served as a B-17 pilot and inspected aircrafts in World War II from April 12, 1943, to July 19, 1945. He was a flight commander of 12 aircrafts on 11 combat missions and was a flight instructor for B-17’s.

In 1961, Mr. Hedrick and his family moved to Grafton and opened the Ben Franklin Store in the Twin City Plaza until his retirement in 1987. The store was sold and the became Banner Crafts.  

Mr. Hedrick also was a former president of the Parent-Teacher Association and Lions Club.

Mr. Hedrick is survived by his sons David (Nan) of California, and Mark and Kim (Joanne), both of Grafton.

He was preceded in death by his wife Wanda.

Private services with military honors were held for Mr. Hedrick at Union Grove Cemetery on Tuesday, April 24.

Mueller Funeral Home in Cedarburg handled the arrangements.