Winston-Salem - Mr. Bruce Hayden Alderman Sr., 93, beloved father, grandfather and brother passed away on August 11, 2015 at Forsyth Memorial Hospital. He was born March 26, 1922 in Rural Hall to the late Allie Blanche Petree and Arville Hayden Alderman. He was a graduate of RJ Reynolds High School. Bruce was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Force in 1942 at age 20 and served proudly as a flight engineer on a B-24 and attained the rank of Sergeant. He flew the last mission of WWII, a draw fire mission over Japan. He married his sweetheart, Emily Gray Saylor, November 12, 1943 at Peabody College in Nashville, TN. They were married for 44 years until her passing in 1988. Upon return from the Army, he went to work with his father at Alderman Automotive Service, which served the Winston-Salem area for over 60 years with a three-generation business. Bruce was an avid fisherman, enjoyed fishing with his father and mother, and in later years with his daughter and son-in-law. He especially loved Harker's Island and Cape Lookout National Seashore, which he believed was paradise. He served on the Salem Lake Board of Commissioners and was instrumental in bringing the pier and boat slips to Salem Lake. Bruce was a talented painter, and while in his 80s painted seascapes and florals for his family to enjoy and to pass on to their children. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and sister, Peggyan Alderman and a grandson Will. Left to cherish his memory are children Bruce Alderman, Jr. (Karen), Steve Alderman, and Molly Hudson (Kenny) of Winston-Salem; and grandchildren Sallie Alderman of Winston-Salem and John Alderman of Whitsett. He loved his children and grandchildren most of all. He was adored by them as well and will be greatly missed. He was the center of our home. The family would like to express gratitude to the 9th floor general staff at Forsyth Memorial Hospital for their care and concern. A graveside service will be held on Friday, August 14 at 1:00 p.m. at Jefferson Church of Christ Cemetery in Rural Hall.

Winston-Salem Journal, August 13, 2015