Andy W. Heen, Sr.

Andres William Heen, Sr., 93, of Columbia, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 23, 2026, at Lexington Community Hospice House. The funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Friday January 30, 2026, with the family receiving friends prior to the service beginning at 10:00 am. The service will be conducted at Riverland Hills Baptist Church, 201 Lake Murray Boulevard, Irmo, SC 29063, with burial at Fort Jackson National Cemetery at a later date. Honorary pallbearers will be Coaches Bob Hannah, Reggie Shaw, Reggie Kennedy, Demetrius Davis, Greg Wright, Shawn Wright, Drew Watson, and Tom Howley. Dr. Ryan Pack, of Riverland Hills Baptist Church will be officiating the service. The Eulogy will be given by Chaplain C.L. “Shep” Shepherd. Temples Halloran Funeral Home will be assisting the family with the arrangements.

Andres W. Heen, Senior was born in Unadilla, NY, on May 14, 1932. The son of the late Orger and Verna Heen, Andres (Andy) graduated from Vestal Central High School in Vestal, NY. He joined the Navy in 1951, serving on the USS Newport News during the Korean War. He left the Navy in 1955 to attend college. Andy received a Bachelor of Religious Education from Baptist Bible Seminary in 1961 and later earned his Masters in Elementary Education from State University of NY at Cortland. Andy taught 5th grade, coached junior high football, and served as assistant wrestling coach at Vestal Central School for seven years. In August 1968, Andy moved his family to South Carolina where he taught and served as guidance counselor at Irmo Middle School until his retirement in 1989. Following his retirement, he volunteered and later worked on staff with Midlands Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Fondly called “Mr. Andy,” he led Bible studies and prayed with student athletes and coaches. Known as a prayer warrior, many friends called Andy when they needed someone to pray for them. Working with coaches and athletes was second only to his love for his family, especially his grandchildren. Always “Poppy” to them, he never missed an opportunity to support them at sporting events and recitals, often dropping by to see them at work to give a hug or word of encouragement. Of greatest importance to Andy was his faith in Jesus Christ, and he never missed an opportunity to share his love for Jesus and the hope of salvation with everyone he encountered. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but we have joy knowing he is with his Lord and Savior, whom he longed to meet.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
(2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Andres Heen is survived by his son, Andy, Jr. (Tricia) of Lexington, SC; daughter, Mary-Noel Bosse (Don) of Simpsonville, SC; his beloved grandchildren, David Heen (Whitney) of Columbia, SC; Emily, Anna, and Joshua Heen, of Lexington, SC; Josh Bosse of Raleigh, NC; great-granddaughters Zoe and Chloe Bosse of Raleigh, NC; sister Gurine Gunther; and sister, Elsie French, along with many nieces and nephews.

The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Midlands FCA or the Verna Sisson Bible Fund at MidlandsFCA.org.