Norman Rudolph Heilig, Sr.

Norman Rudolph Heilig, Sr., age 92, was born to Sidney Elijah Heilig and Gracie Parker Heilig of Kimball, WV on February 5, 1928 and departed his earthly home on Monday, October 19, 2020. Norman spent his formative years in Kimball completing high school at Kimball High School. He completed his undergraduate studies at North Carolina A & T State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering with a minor in Mathematics and Military Science. He was an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. since 1950 (pledge name “Lord Chocolate”) and ROTC while attending A & T. It was there at A & T that he met the love of his life, Elizabeth Lennon, from Evergreen, North Carolina. On November 26, 1955 they married, and from this union, two children was born, Norman R., Jr. and Valerie Elizabeth. Norman spent two years in the United States Army to fulfill his ROTC duties. He was discharged from the army after serving with the “101” Infantry Airborne - Breckenridge, Kentucky (Training Officer) and the 40th Division in Korea reaching the rank of Captain. After officer training, his intent was to enter Air Force Flight School and continue flying. In 1955 while visiting his sister, Marie, in Columbus, Ohio, he interviewed with North American Aviation and was hired. North American Aviation designed and built aircraft and dealt with space technology. This gave him an opportunity to pursue his career in Engineering and relocate his family to Ohio. He worked for North America Aviation as a Jet Aircraft Engineer. After relocating to Columbus, Norman surrendered his life to the Lord and was baptized at a little church he attended in Hanford Village, St. Mark Baptist Church of Columbus. In March of 1995, he united with Bethany Baptist Church on his Christian Experience under the late Rev. Dr. A. Wilson Wood. He was a faithful member and later was appointed and served on the Board of Trustees. Norman is preceded in death by his parents, Sidney and Gracie; son, Norman R. Heilig, Jr.; brothers, Jones, Vernal, Joseph, Jasper Sidney, William Buster, Hershel; sisters, Beulah May, Lucille, Marie Heilig Holland; great granddaughter, baby Mireya L. Perkins. He leaves to cherish his memory, wife Elizabeth of 64 years; daughter, Valerie (J. Michael) Henderson (Dayton, OH); granddaughters, Ryan Lindsey (Michael) Perkins, Michelle E. Henderson (Florence, KY), Valencia N. Henderson (Dayton, OH); grandson, Norman R. Heilig, III; great grandson, Alexander M. Perkins; special nieces, Saundra Holland, Natalie Davis; special cousins, Clarrise Page (Charlotte, NC), Narrell (Jimmy) Carroll (Princeton, WV); sister-in-law, Pearl Heilig (Saginaw, MI), a host of nephews, nieces, family and friends.