William D. Hayward

William D. Hayward, 88, went to be with the Lord on Sunday morning, May 22, 2011 at his residence. He passed peacefully in his sleep with his beloved wife, Vera, by his side. He was born August 26, 1922 in Alton, the son of the late Dennis D. and Margaret (Durham) Hayward. On March 21, 1947 he married Vera Reeves in Alton and together they shared 64 years of marriage. Besides his wife, he is survived by two devoted daughters: Suzanne Hayward Mensendiek (Mark) of O’Fallon, MO and Cathie Hayward of Eden Prairie, MN. In addition, he was the proud grandfather of three girls: Meredith Mensendiek of St. Louis, Meg Mensendiek Hesemann (Kevin) of St. Peters, MO, Mari Hayward of Eden Prairie, MN, and the soon to be Great Grandfather of Adeline Hesemann, due in August. He is also survived by four nephews and preceded in death by his sister, hazel (May) Burch of Godfrey, IL. Mr. Hayward attended Alton High School and Shurtleff College. He was employed as a mechanical engineer for Olin Corporation for 37 years, retiring in 1977. He served in the Army for three years during WWII as an anti-aircraft artillery gunner in Patton’s Third Army. Two years of that time were spent in Europe, where he participated in four major campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge. Mr. Hayward devoted much of his life to numerous service organizations, serving in many different capacities. He was a member and former officer of Franklin Masonic Lodge #25 for 65 years, a member of Ainad Shrine, Walton Chapter OES, and a life member of VFW #1308 in Alton. He spent 31 years as a member of the Board of Directors of Olin Employees Credit Union, serving as Chairman of the Board for a period of time. A lobbyist for Credit Unions in Springfield, IL, he was a member of the Credit Union Political Action Committee. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Specialized Services, an Advisor to Junior Achievement Organization, and two terms as President of Olin’s Westerner Club. He was a volunteer for the Corps of Engineers during a portion of the construction stages of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, No. 26. Mr. Hayward and his family have been longtime members of Calvary Baptist Church of Alton. The family will receive friends at GENT Funeral Home from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 27, 2011, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Andre’ Dobson officiating. Masonic Rites will be held at the beginning of the memorial service by Franklin Lodge #25 with Military Rites offered at the end of the service by VFW Post 1308. Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church of Alton or Franklin Masonic Lodge #25. He will be dearly missed, always, by his family, who loved him so very much and whom he made so very proud. PDF Printable Version

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William D. Hayward

August 26, 1922 - May 22, 2011