Mr. Edsel Ray Hiatt

Mr. Edsel Ray Hiatt, 74, of 852 Willow Hill Circle, Mount Airy, passed away Wednesday night, March 26, 2014, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Mr. Hiatt was born June 23, 1939, in Surry County, the son of the late Ashby and Maude Ella Belton Hiatt. Edsel retired as a teacher and coach from Clayton High School in Johnston County. He had a love and passion for sports, particularly football. He graduated from Mt. Airy High School in 1957; he received a scholarship from Lees McRae for football in 1958-1959 received AA degree. Mr. Hiatt attended Presbyterian College in 1959-1961 on football scholarship played in Tangerine Bowl and received BA degree in Social Studies and Physical Education. Mr. Hiatt was named the North Carolina Football Coach of the Year in 1978. He was in the class of 2014 that will be inducted into the Greater Mt. Airy Sports Hall of Fame. He served as the head coach of the East-West All-star Game in 1978 and the Shrine Bowl in 1989. He is survived by a son, Christopher Hiatt of Greensboro; three sisters, Joann Gammons, Marie Johnson, and Doris Vernon, all of Mount Airy; and two brothers and, George W. Hiatt of Memphis, TN, and Raymond Hiatt of Mt. Airy; a special and loyal friend, Dwight Edwin Seal of Mt. Airy. In addition to his parents, Mr. Hiatt was preceded in death by a sister, Lucille Hiatt; and four brothers, Bobby Lee Hiatt, Arlyss Hiatt, Arnold Hiatt, and Royst Hiatt. A graveside service will be held Sunday, March 30, 2014, at 3:00 PM at Shelton Church of the Brethren Cemetery, with the Rev. Jimmy Slate and the Rev. Ted Turner officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday from 1:30 until 2:30 PM at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Airy High School Athletic Department Attention Donald Price, 1011 N. South St., Mt. Airy, NC 27030. Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.