William Heefner Bledsoe, 78, passed away at his sister's home on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 after several months of declining health. Funeral Services celebrating his life will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday November 20, 2010 at Clemmons First Baptist Church in Clemmons, where he was a member and former deacon, officiated by Dr. Robert Phillips. Interment will follow in Westlawn Gardens of Memory. Mr. Bledsoe was born on April 19, 1932 in Forsyth County to the late William Halley and Grace Elms Bledsoe. He was a lifelong resident of Forsyth County, having moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina last year. He served in the Marine Corps from 1951-1954, after which he served as one of Winston-Salem Police Department's first K-9 officers with his beloved German Shepherd, "Peer". He also worked with Lance, Inc. as a salesman for many years. He retired from the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools in 1999, having been Transportation Supervisor at West Forsyth High School and an Energy Manager for the school system. One of the great joys of Mr. Bledsoe's life was following his father into entertainment as a professional clown, and entertaining old and young alike at rodeos, parades, and special events for over 50 years with "Bill Bledsoe's Funny Ford", including 47 consecutive years in the Salisbury Christmas Parade, 40 years in the Charlotte Carousel Parade, and 40 years in the Faith, NC Fourth of July Parade through July, 2010. He also had the pleasure of having several of his children, grandchildren, and nephews join in the fun of clowning with him from the early 1960's on. He was well-known by friends and family for his sense of humor, his generosity, and his compassion, as evidenced by the loving care that he gave his parents and his mother-in-law through their final illnesses. He also had a soft spot in his heart for all animals, and he dearly loved the many canine companions he had through the years, including little "Bob", his constant companion for the last 4 years. Mr. Bledsoe is survived by his wife of 43 years, Maude Cornwell Bledsoe of the home; three sons, William Thomas (Chryl) Bledsoe, Samuel Christopher (Lori) Bledsoe of Alpine, California, and Charles Edward (Sherry) Frye of Henderson, Nevada; two daughters, Charlot Frye (Lupton) Wood of Yadkinville, and Carrie Bledsoe (Joey) Hall of Fayetteville; two brothers, J. Patrick(Carolyn) Bledsoe and Michael Bledsoe; sister, Nancy (Jerry) Pegram; twelve grandchildren: Jessica, Rosie, Sam, Andy, Katie Bledsoe, Ben (Anna) and Caroline Wood, Bristol and Marshall Barnette, Callie Davis, Chloe and Tripp Hall; and one great-grandson, Benjamin Wood. The family will receive friends from 6-7:30 p.m. Friday evening at the Pierce-Jefferson Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to the Bledsoe family at www.Pierce-Jefferson FuneralService.com In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Clemmons First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 279, Clemmons, NC, 27012, or the Charity of one's choice.


Published in Winston-Salem Journal from November 17 to November 18, 2010