William Shadie “W.S.” Hess, 83, of Haleyville, passed away Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Haleyville Health Care; Rehab, surrounded by his loving family. W.S. was born January 20, 1943, in Lakeland, Florida to the late Rev. H.C. and Viola Adams Hess. His family brought him back home to Winston County, Alabama, at a young age, where W.S. began learning the value of hard work on the family farm. W.S. attended Pebble School, making lots of friends, before transferring to Haleyville High School, where he graduated in 1961. It was at Haleyville High that W.S. met the love of his life, Wanda Elliott. They were married on August 5, 1961. They were married for 65 years and had three children – Vicki, Darrell and Wade. W.S. was a very hard worker. Over the course of his life, he worked at a gas station, the Northwest Alabamian, City Diesel, Formed Tubes and Frontier Homes, sometimes working more than one job at the same time to support his family. A wonderful mechanic, W.S. retired from Marshal Durbin as north division fleet manager in 2009, having worked there 36 years. After retiring, he worked at Nichols Funeral Home. In the 1980s, he signed a written contract with his parents to purchase their farm in Pebble, the old Adams place, which had been in his family for generations. He began cattle farming, something which became his passion. He raised Brangus cattle – some registered – eventually growing his herd to nearly 100 head. When he wasn’t at work, he was out on the farm – operating one of his tractors, building fences, checking on his cattle and cutting and baling hay. Once he retired, he leased additional land in the area to cut for hay, then would sell it to the public, making more friends in the process. W.S. was a member of and deacon emeritus at First Baptist Church of Haleyville, his last church home in a spiritual journey that led him to worship and serve the Lord at Beulah Baptist, Ephesus Baptist and New Prospect Baptist through the years. W.S. brought his carpentry skills and dedication to work for the Lord to the Winston Baptist Association. He and Wanda went on numerous mission trips across the United States through the years with the WBA. W.S. specialized in sheetrock work on mission trips, but he would lend a hand wherever it was needed and always had time for a good-natured practical joke while working. W.S. loved his family with everything he had, doing whatever it took to make sure they had what they needed. His grandchildren – Jon and Laura – were the joys of his life. The example he provided to his family and the lessons they learned from him will never fade. He will always be loved and remembered. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. H.C. and Viola Hess and his brother, Hillard (Shirley) Hess. He is survived by his loving wife, Wanda; his children, Vicki Hess, Dr. Darrell Hess and Wade (Shelly) Hess; his grandchildren, Jon Hess and Laura Hess and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Visitation will be Wednesday November 11, 2026, from noon until 2:00 p.m. at Nichols Funeral Home in Haleyville where the service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Brother George Whitten will officiate. Burial will be at Winston Memorial Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared at nicholsfuneralhomes.com
