William F. Hedges

HEDGES, William F. William F. Hedges, 88, of West Hartford, beloved husband of the late Rosemary (Morello) Hedges, died Sunday (September 24, 2006). He was born and raised in Hartford and has resided in West Hartford for the past 60 years. Bill was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving as a SSgt. during World War II and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. Following his discharge from the military, he founded Whalen Chair Rental Service, Inc and was President from 1945 until shortly before his death. Bill was a Life Member of the West Hartford Lions Club. He was a dedicated coach for over 20 years for the Lions baseball team of the West Hartford Boys Baseball League. In 1975, the William F. Hedges Baseball Field at Wolcott Park was named in his honor. Bill had been a life long Red Sox fan. "Wait till next year". He was a member of the Hannon-Hatch V.F.W. Post 9929, West Hartford and had been a communicant of Saint Mark the Evangelist Church, West Hartford. Bill is survived by two sons, Brian W. Hedges and his fiancee, Karen L'Heureux, both of Meriden and Stephen J. Hedges of West Hartford; three sisters-in-law, Ann Matassa of West Hartford, Kathryn Ann Conforto and her husband Samuel of Old Saybrook and Harriet Morello of West Hartford; and several nieces and nephews. His brother, Robert Hedges, predeceased him. Calling hours will be Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at the Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave., West Hartford. The funeral procession will be Friday at 9 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated at 10 a.m. at the Church of Saint Mark the Evangelist. Interment will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford.