VALLEY — It is with profound sadness that the family of Tyre Wendell Hadaway announces his passing. Wendell was born at home in Fairfax, Ala. on January 17, 1937, the first of two sons of Howard Lee and Myrtis Lucille (Carlisle) Hadaway. He peacefully passed away at his home in Valley, Ala. the morning of September 22, 2018, with his wife, Ruth Marie, by his side. He was 81 years old.

Wendell retired from Uniroyal Goodrich in 1994 after 30 years of service. He was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Our Granddaddy was a gifted storyteller, a talented craftsman, and a practiced jokester. He enjoyed communicating with people around the world on his amateur radio (KA4QVA) and was a connoisseur of bluegrass music. Above all, he loved his family unwaveringly. He encouraged and protected us. He gave us hope. Simply, he was a good man. We will forever cherish memories of summer vacations in the mountains, backyard camping, and family picnics. We will always miss him, but he survives in us.

Wendell is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Larry Hadaway. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruth Pike Hadaway; daughter, Carla Hadaway of Valley; three granddaughters, Amber English of Opelika, Alabama, Jennifer Casserly of Montpelier, Vermont, and Sarah Hollar of Tallahassee, Fla.; four great-grandchildren, Leila, Sadler, James, and Chris; special family members Kirby Hadaway, Tommy Hadaway, Peggy Hawkins, and Stanley Hawkins; and a host of aunts and cousins.

Our family wishes to thank the dedicated medical caregivers who provided their expertise, kindness, and compassion during the last stage of Wendell’s journey, most notably Dr. John Abrams and the staff at Auburn Internal Medicine, as well as the team of Chattahoochee Hospice professionals without whom we could not have managed.

Visitation will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Lanett, Alabama on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at 10 a.m. EDT with Mass to follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Fairfax Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations to Chattahoochee Hospice be considered in his memory.

Please visit our website at www.johnsonbrownservicefh.com to leave a condolence for the family, to share a memory of Mr. Hadaway, or to light a Remembrance Candle in his memory.

Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley directing.