Chilton County will say goodbye to two of its best-known businessmen this week, Lewis W. “Pig” Headley and Eddie Edwards.

Edwards passed away at the age of 83 Monday, and Headley passed at 87 just a day later on Tuesday.

Headley served in the U.S. Marines in World War II and was one of the few survivors of Iwo Jima. Shortly after returning home, he operated Pig’s Grocery and Market at the corner of Second Avenue North and what was then 13th Street in Clanton.

The store was later moved to Sixth Street and renamed Headley Food Center; it stood on the block where the Clanton First Baptist Christian Life Center now stands.

Headley also served in the Alabama House of Representatives for three terms.

“He helped a lot of people, and I don’t know of anybody to say that they did not like him,” said his wife, Dot.

In 1950, Edwards and brother-in-law Buck Daniel established Edward and Daniel Credit Jewelers. They rented a store on Sixth Street, and in 1953 Edwards bought out his partner.

For a time, Headley and Edwards operated their businesses across the street from each other.

“He was one of the best salesmen. I believe he could sell ice to Eskimos,” said Rex Edwards of his father. “He had a lot of friends.”

In 1968, Edwards Jewelers moved to its current location on Second Avenue North. Rex joined the business in 1974 but is now retired. The store is now operated by Rex’s brother, Danny, and his nephew Stacy Watson (a grandson of Eddie’s).

Clanton Mayor Billy Joe Driver knew both men for many years.

“They were both good men and outstanding businessmen, and will be greatly missed,” Driver said.

For funeral information, see the full obituaries by clicking here.