William Ira ''Billy'' Hedgepeth, 57, of Roanoke Rapids, died Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.

Billy was a native of Halifax County, the son of the late Julian McDonald Hedgepeth and Maurine Mayton Hedgepeth. He was a 1974 graduate of Roanoke Rapids High School and a graduate of UNC Pembroke.

He is survived by his sister, Deneen H. Hale and her husband, Smokey, of Littleton; his brother, Rowland ''Nook'' Hedgepeth, of Raleigh; his niece, Tracy Hedgepeth of FL; three nephews, Gene Hawkins, Jr. of Roanoke Rapids, William Andrew Hedgepeth of Rocky Mount and Joshua W. Hale of Roanoke Rapids; and many special friends.

Askew Funeral & Cremation Services in Roanoke Rapids is handling the arrangements, the family will receive friends Friday June 8, from 6:30-8:00 P.M. at the home of Butch and Lisa Oliver 811 Park Ave Roanoke Rapids and on Saturday, June 9, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, June 10, in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Michael Jones officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarwood Cemetery.