MT. AIRY -- Long time Mt. Airy resident and Andy Griffith Show icon, Russell Hiatt passed away Tuesday. For decades he could be found at Floyd's Barbershop. He was the inspiration behind Floyd the Barber from the Andy Griffith Show.
Since 1946, there's been one constant here at Floyd's City Barber Shop in downtown Mt. Airy -- Hiatt. He's cut thousands of people's hair, his most famous customer being Andy Griffith. However, for the first time in 7 decades that's all going to change.
His son, Bill Hiatt still struggled to find words on his father’s passing Tuesday at the barber shop that became a second home to Russell.
"It's Heaven's gain,” explained Bill, “Dad had wanted to go home. He wanted to see Mom."
The 92-year-old, almost as legendary in Mt. Airy as the Andy Griffith show itself, passed away Tuesday night.
"It's going to be a loss because Dad was an icon here. People came and visit Floyd's Barber Shop," said Bill.
Hiatt's smile will never leave the barbershop as tens of thousands of people had their photo taken with him, which were then hung up around the walls. The remaining ones are kept in boxes as memories.
Russell Hiatt cut hair until he was 90. Even after he retired, he would sit and take a photo with anyone who wanted one. According to Jennifer Wright with Miss Angel’s Heavenly Pies, Inc., he would take most of his lunch breaks at the bakery.
"He would stand there wait for a hug,” described Wright, “He didn't even have to tell us he wanted a cherry pie, we'd just get it and put in a box."
Wrightsays she's knew Hiatt all her life. She knows what he meant to the area.
"Anytime you come downtown,” said Wright, “You always see Russell in the barbershop."
The bakery she works collecting donations to purchase a bench in his honor, which will be placed in Mt. Airy.
Even though a wreath hung around the front door and the sign said closed Wednesday, Bill Hiatt says there's no question when it comes to the future of his dad's second home.
"It'll be business as usual without the main man,” he said.
Those wishing To pay their respects can do so starting at 1 p.m. on Main Street as his casket is taken through downtown one last time.