Edgar Levi Hazzlerigg Jr.

Published 9:22 am Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Edgar Levi Hazzlerigg Jr. died peacefully at home Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, surrounded by his family.

He was born Dec. 19, 1919, in Itta Bena, to Edgar Levi Hazzlerigg and Vivian Imogene (Carpenter) Hazzlerigg.

“Junior” was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Virginia Hullum; four brothers, W. C., Maurice, James and Larry Hazzlerigg; one grandson, Erik Raymond Dykes; and three great-grandchildren who also preceded him, Lindsey Jane, Tyler James and Jackson Gerald Dykes.

Surviving siblings are Sally (Louis) Frazer of Pegram, Tenn.; Vickie (Eddie) Smith of Vicksburg; and Henry (Doris) Hazzlerigg of Theodore, Ala.

Edgar Levi Hazzlerigg Jr.

Mr. Hazzlerigg was a master sergeant during World War II serving in the 8th Air Force from 1941 to 1945. He served as aircraft flight chief for the Aerial Reconnaissance Squadron Station “Photo Cats” at Mount Farm and Chalgrove, England. While carrying out his assignments keeping the P-38 Lightnings and P-51 Mustangs flying, he received the War Department Distinguished Unit Citation from Col. Elliott Roosevelt for extraordinary heroism, gallantry, and determination during the weeks before and during the Normandy invasion.

Mr. Hazzlerigg was known as a master mechanic and owner of Hazzlerigg’s Garage, at the corner of Washington Street and Bowmar Avenue, for over 40 years. Edgar loved his wife and family above all else. “Junior” was an avid sportsman, both hunting, and loving freshwater and saltwater fishing. He loved the outdoors, growing and propagating plants and sharing them with others.

After retiring, he received an award for visiting veterans nursing home patients for 800 hours in one year. Ed and his wife Fay also enjoyed the occasional barn dance at their farm in Bovina. Mr. Hazzlerigg was an active member of the Knights of Pythias, the American Legion, Military Order of Cooties, Moose Lodge, and the V.F.W.

Mr. Hazzlerigg is survived by his wife of 42 years, Ellen Fay (Mann) Rusche Hazzlerigg; two daughters, Tina (Dick) Grau of Vicksburg and Shirley (Jim Thomason) Lauderdale of Peachtree City, Ga.; three sons, Edgar L. (Cathy) Hazzlerigg III, of Las Vegas, Phillip (Audrey) Rusche, and Paul Rusche, both of Vicksburg; grandchildren, Brian (Wendy) Dykes of Terry, Adam Dykes of Milan, Mich., April Rusche Chapin and Joseph Rusche, both of Vicksburg, Shelley (David) Bowling of Cummins, Ga., Sarah Rusche of Houston, Texas, Teresa J. Rusche of Biloxi, Hollye (Joseph) Quimby of Vicksburg and Scott (Khaki) Hazzlerigg of French Settlement, La., and 14 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to The Salvation Army, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or Wounded Warrior Project.

Visitation will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015, at First Christian Church, 3005 Porters Chapel Road, with a Memorial Service following at 2 p.m. at the church.