W. Grady Hanks

Honea Path – William Grady Hanks, 93, passed away on Saturday, November 9, 2013 at NHC of Anderson. He was known as “Buck” to his family and “Rusty” to his railroad connections. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Lenora Mitchell Hanks.

Born in Honea Path, he was the son of Cliff and Lessie Saylors Hanks. He graduated from Honea Path High School in 1937. He worked for Piedmont and Northern Railway and later for Seaboard Coastline until he retired in 1981. He was a member of Honea Path First Baptist Church, a member of Centre Lodge #37 A.F.M. and of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Active in the community, he served on the city council, distributed food commodities, organized and worked the polls for elections, visited the sick and elderly, and made weekly visits to The Maples assisted living facility until the age of 91. Anyone he talked with knew he was proud of his family and their accomplishments. He was a loyal, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, son and brother.

Also surviving are his daughter, Nancy Cox and husband Preston of Pendleton, granddaughters, Carol Bedenbaugh and husband Iva of Laurens, and Jennifer Smith and husband Bruce of Pendleton, and great-grandchildren, Cal Bedenbaugh of Laurens and Kaleigh and Laney Smith of Pendleton.

The last member of his immediate family, he was predeceased by his parents, and three sisters: Doris Drennon, Caroleen Wright, and Evelyn McKinney.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, November 11, 2013 at Pruitt Funeral Chapel with Rev. Mike Moody officiating. Burial will follow in Barkers Creek Baptist Church cemetery.

The family is at their respective homes and will receive friends 12:30 - 2 p.m. Monday prior to the service at the funeral home. Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels – Anderson, 105 S Fant St, Anderson, SC 29624. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.ParkerWhitePruitt.com