William Chessman Hedden Jr.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 11th at 11:30 at Shannon Funeral Home in North Richland Hills. Reception to follow. Burial at DFW National Cemetery at 3:15.

William Chessman Hedden, Jr. (Bill) was born in Dover, New Jersey to William Chessman Hedden, Sr. and Bennetta Sue Gilbert Hedden on May 26, 1940. He lived in New Jersey until he was 12 years old when his father took a job in Fort Worth. Bill’s high school education was thus split between New Jersey and Texas. Before graduating from Dallas Baptist University, Bill wrote, “I have been to and from New Jersey by the four major means of transportation (car, bus, train and airplane) many times.” He added that he preferred traveling by bus so that he could enjoy the views in the countryside. His love for a road trip and aerospace followed him throughout his life. After high school, Bill proudly served in the United States Air Force where he was stationed in Honolulu, Sacramento and Rome, New York, which he jokingly referred to as little Alaska because of the snow. On November 2, 1968, Bill married Glenda June Jones in Fort Worth and was married 33 years until her passing on April 5, 2001. They had two children, William Chessman Hedden, III and Kimberly Renee Hedden Garza. Bill spent his career working as an Aerospace Engineer where he designed helicopters, airplanes and even contributed to the design of the B2 Stealth Bomber. He was employed with Bell Helicopter, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. Bill was known for his quick wit, sense of humor and his ability to successfully deliver a one-liner with perfect timing. Bill was a loyal husband, father and friend and will be deeply missed.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife, Glenda June Hedden; father, William Chessman Hedden, Sr.; mother, Bennetta Sue Gilbert; and sister, Joan Betty Hedden Malmgren.

Bill is survived by his son, William Chessman Hedden, III and wife, Leslie; daughter, Kimberly Renee Garza and husband, Jorge; sisters, Sue Fabiano and Barbara Hertz; and grandchildren: Taylor, Skyler, Benjamin, Sarah and Oliver.