Wiley Moore Kidd, Sr.

Wiley Moore Kidd Sr., a loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on April 21, 2025. Born in Lawrenceville, VA, he spent his formative and teenage years in the beloved Port Norfolk community of Portsmouth, VA. Wiley was the son of the late George Turnbull Kidd and Effy Estelle Johnson. He is predeceased by his wife, Carolyn Hedgepeth Kidd, daughter, Sherry Kidd Lyons, and his three brothers, George Harold Kidd, David Johnson Kidd Sr., and Lewis Baxter Kidd Sr. A sports enthusiast, Wiley attended Wilson High School, where he lettered in baseball and basketball. In his senior year, he was voted "most popular" and "best personality." He married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Hedgepeth, and they built a home in Churchland where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were lovingly devoted to each other for 67 years. Wiley’s warm, gregarious qualities served him well in his 48-year career at Empire Machinery & Supply Corporation in Norfolk, beginning in the warehouse, promoted to sales, and later appointed Company President. His incredible love of sports continued in midlife with bowling, playing softball, tennis, and competing in regional racquetball tournaments. He was a member of the Portsmouth Sports Club and the Grid Iron Club, and served on the Board of Directors for the annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, which he competed in from 1956 to 1965 with the Bynum Finance team. He was an avid collector of sports memorabilia throughout his lifetime, creating a personal ‘museum’ of his cherished collection. He was a longtime member of Westhaven Baptist Church, serving as a deacon and singing in the Chancel Choir. He and his wife, Carolyn, graciously hosted family gatherings, birthdays, and holiday celebrations, leaving us with many cherished memories. He loved people, valued relationships, and filled his home with humor and joy. Wiley will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He leaves behind his son-in-law, Scott Lyons, and his beloved grandson, William Kidd Lyons, of Durham, PA, as well as his son, Wiley Moore Kidd Jr., of New York, NY. A visitation will be held at Loving Funeral Home on Saturday, April 26th, from 4:00 – 5:30 pm (3225 Academy Ave, Portsmouth, VA 23703). A memorial service celebrating Wiley’s life will be held at Westhaven Baptist Church, April 27th, with a visitation from 4-5 pm and a memorial service at 5 pm, followed by a reception in the social hall. (WBC, 4900 Caroline Ave, Portsmouth. VA 23707). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Westhaven Baptist Church (westhavenbaptist.com), Disability Rights Pennsylvania (disabilityrightspa.org), or Caring Kind: The Heart of Alzheimer’s Caring (caringkindnyc.org).