William D. “Bill” Hecky, 91, of Garrettsville, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, January 2, 2023. He was born in Akron on March 21, 1931, to the late Henry and Rose Hecky, Sr.
He graduated at Garrettsville High School in Garrettsville, then attended the Ohio State University and Hiram College, studying Animal Husbandry. Bill worked for his father at the Hecky Ford Dealership, which was in Garrettsville. He also worked for Zuver Road Construction in Mantua, as well as the U.S. Postal Service, where he delivered mail to 500 residents, which later increased. An average day consisted of walking 10 miles a day until his retirement after 27 years, 1 month, and 1 week; by then, Bill had walked over 70,000 miles while working. He would tirelessly walk through rain, sleet, snow, wind, and heat, usually working 6 days a week. Bill had accumulated 1500 hours of sick leave because no other carrier would work his shift, and he was always quick to tell you the vitamins it took to feel better, if anyone would share with him they were ill. After work, Bill went home to chores on his 57 acre farm where he raised cattle and gardened, so his wife would have plenty to can and freeze for his family. He cared for fruit trees, growing apples as big as grapefruit, as well as large blueberries. Bill sometimes had to come home from work early to chase cows that had escaped from their pasture! Needless to say, Bill was very active; he enjoyed water skiing, boating, hunting, watching wildlife on the farm, and vacationing with his family in Canada.
Bill will be deeply missed by his devoted wife of over 65 years on December 1, 2022, Nancy G. Hecky; sons, Mark (Judy) Hecky, of Garrettsville and John (Ruth) Hecky, also of Garrettsville; grandchildren, Jay Hecky, of Garrettsville, Ashley Hecky, of Garrettsville, Josh (Lucy) Hecky, of Florida, and Jonathan (Ali) Hecky, of Massachusetts; great grandchildren, Lybeth, Gaby, Mason, Thomas, Isabella, Amelia, Calvin, and Maeve (due in March), as well as many nephews, nieces, and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jay R. Hecky, and siblings, Henry Hecky, Jr., Leta Pollock, and Ruth Enslin.
The family would like to invite friends to honor Bill for a memorial visitation on Saturday, January 21, 2023, from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M., at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 8382 Center St., Garrettsville, OH 44231. A memorial service will begin at the funeral home at 5:00 P.M. For online condolences go to www.carlsonfuneralhomes.com.
