William Ewing Hurt, 68

William Ewing Hurt, 68 years of age, passed away Sunday, August 11, 2013 at his home in Bluffton, SC, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born March 29, 1945, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, son of the late William Boone Hurt and Mary Jeanette Higdon Hurt of Sedalia, MO. He was united in marriage to Maria Cecilia de Castro Figueiroa in 1982 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

He is survived by his wife; two sons, Rafael de Castro (Sarah) and Dr. Phelipe de Castro; two daughters, Jessica (Brian) Mellott, and Amanda Hurt. He is also survived by his mother, Mary Jeanette Hurt; brother, Steven Higdon Hurt; grandson, Liam Mellott; and several Hurt, Mayfield, Higdon cousins and his sister-in-law and mother-in-law of Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Hurt, an Honor graduate of Smith Cotton H.S., received a B.A. degree in political science and speech communications at the University of Kansas, as well as an M.A. degree in international affairs at American University in Washington, D.C. He went on to earn a J.D. degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. In addition, Hurt participated in the summer program at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

In 2003, Hurt retired from his position as an International Trade Specialist with the U.S. Department of Commerce. After 30 years of service and earning the U.S. Commerce Gold Medal Award for expanding the U.S. health trade industry and investment in Russia. Prior to his position with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Hurt worked for the Missouri Division of Human Services, Missouri Court of Appeals, as well as the Missouri Bar Association. Most recently, he dedicated his time as an Instructor of Speech Communication at the University of South Carolina Beaufort.

At his request there will not be any formal funeral service, only a reception at the Heckart Family Center, 915 S. Ohio, Sedalia, MO, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 17 for friends and relatives. A private family burial will be in Providence Cemetery near Smithton, MO with Rev. Richard Adams officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in the name of William Hurt may be sent to the Providence Cemetery Association or the Department of Speech Communications at the University of South Carolina Beaufort (843-208-8000).

Arrangements are in the care of Heckart Funeral Home, Sedalia, MO. Condolences may be offered at www.heckartfuneralhome.com.