William "Bill" Hedden

William “Bill” Hedden was born on March 14, 1950, to John and Bonnie (Johnson) Hedden in Mankato, Kansas. He left this earth surrounded by family on November 26, 2024, to be with his God.

He was educated in Udall, Kansas, where he graduated in 1968.

He married Adelia (Rightmeier) on September 27, 1969, in Udall, Kansas, where they started their lives together. They moved to Winfield, Kansas, in 1975. They were married for 52 years until Adelia’s passing in October 2021.

Bill worked at the Winfield State Hospital for 29 years, and after that he worked for Dr. Mary Lynch in Wichita for three years, returning to work at Creative Community Living for 8 years, and then USD 465 as a para-educator for 9 years, retiring in 2017 to spend time with his wife and family.

He is survived by his sisters, Pam Shockey and her husband Duane of Haysville, KS, Annette Enegren and her husband Brad of Wellsville, KS, and Bonita Nichols (Darren) of Florida. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Richard Rightmeier of Mankato, KS, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife, parents John and Bonnie Hedden, mother and father-in-law Glenn and Ina Rightmeier, brother Clyde Hedden, brother-in-law Butch Mahaffy, sister-in-law Debra Mahaffy, and nephew Richard Shockey.

Funeral Services will be Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., at Melby Mortuary in Mankato, Kansas, with Pastor David Benavides presiding. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Mankato. Family and friends unable to attend the service are invited to watch a Facebook livestream of his funeral on the Moonlight Workshop page, https://www.facebook.com/moonlightworkshopllc A recording of Bill's service will also be made available on this website, following his service. 

Casket Bearers are Dave Briggs, Sheila Briggs, Brad Enegren, Julia Enegren, German Fernandez, Pastor David Benavides.

Honorary Casket Bearers are Angela Belshe, Brandi Martone, Ashley Ortiz, Sarah (Enegren) Watkins, Ruth Meyer, Deanna Underwood, Ashley Underwood, Lindsey Grauerholz, and Carlton Wright. 

Visitation will be Monday, December 2nd, from 1pm – 5pm, at Melby Mortuary in Mankato.

A Celebration of Life Service for Bill will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., at the Rock United Methodist Church in Rock, Kansas. Family and friends unable to attend the Celebration of Life may watch the service via Facebook Livestream on the Rock United Methodist Church page and/or on YouTube at Rock KS UMC. 

Memorials are requested to the family choice, and may be sent to Melby Mortuary, PO Box 384, Mankato, Kansas, 66935.

Melby Mortuary is assisting the Hedden family with arrangements.