Bayard Taylor Van Hecke

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, August 16, 2013 at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. Mr. Van Hecke’s family will receive friends at the church following the service. Interment will be in Old Chapel Hill Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 17th.

Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Virginia; a son, Bayard Jr. (Alise) of Sag Harbor, N.Y.; four daughters, Elise Williams (Tommy) of Jackson, Miss., Marcee Silver of Raleigh, Ellen Prewitt (Tom) of Memphis, Tenn. and Elli Morris of Richmond, Va.; six grandchildren, Taylor and Hannah Silver of Raleigh, Marie Elise and Swayze Williams of Jackson, and Ryan (Cammie, Aubrey and Searcy) and Cory Prewitt; a brother, Merwin Van Hecke (Faye) of Waxhaw; and many beloved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Jim of Greensboro and John of Raleigh.

Van Hecke, son of the late Maurice and Jessie Van Hecke of Chapel Hill, was born in Lawrence, Kansas, but grew up in Chapel Hill. He was a graduate of Darlington School of Rome, Ga. and the University of North Carolina, where he lettered in track. He served as a naval officer in World War II, serving aboard the USS Boxer, an Essex class aircraft carrier.

Van Hecke worked in Jackson, Miss. as an executive of the McCarty-Holman Co. and the Jitney Jungle Stores, a leading grocery chain in the Deep South. Among other community activities in Jackson, he was chairman of the boards of deacons and elders of The Christian (Disciples of Christ) Church and then as president and chairman of the statewide Christian Church organization.

After moving to Charlotte in 1970, Van Hecke became an executive of the Thomas & Howard Co. of Charlotte, a wholesale food company, retiring as vice president and general manager in 1987.

He and his family joined St. Martin’s, where he focused on the church’s financial, missions, education and Boy Scout programs. A tennis enthusiast, playing well into his 80s, he was a member of the Olde Providence Racquet Club.

After retirement, Van Hecke joined the staff of Crisis Assistance Ministry for several years, which he said he considered the most satisfying portion of his work experience.

A devoted family man, he united extended members of the clan through reunions twice a year and visits in-between. The family recently celebrated its 40th family reunion at the beach.

The family would like to give a special thank-you to the Hospice & Palliative Care of Charlotte and the caregivers of Home Instead.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Hospice & Palliative Care of Charlotte, Holy Angels, or the charity of one’s choice.