Walter Arnold Hayward
Walter “Walt” Arnold Hayward, a man who was always willing to help those in need, died on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Walt, 85, of Charlotte, was born on April 24, 1939, in Muskegon, the son of William and Marion (DeJohn) Hayward. On December 22, 1960, Walt married Arlene Hultgren and they would spend 55 wonderful years creating lasting memories until her passing in 2015. Walt worked for General Motors for 31 years, where he retired as a supervisor in 1995. Following his retirement Walt and Arlene moved to Cadillac. In his younger years Walt loved coaching his boys’ sports teams, serving as a boy scouts’ leader, and was very active with the athletic boosters.
Walt had a heart for service, early in life he was a Lions Club member, and later was very involved with the Elks Lodge in Cadillac. In the lodge he held countless positions, serving alongside his wife, they were able to make a difference for those in need. He was a devoted member of the Peace Lutheran Church in Charlotte, where he was very active in the church, serving on church council for several years. Walt as a kid spent his summers in the UP at 16 Mile Lake where he helped his father build the family cottage, and other cottages around the lake. Once he had children, his children spent a week in the summer enjoying the lake as well. In his younger years Walt enjoyed fishing, hunting, family camping trips to Cadillac, where the boys would pile into their 12-foot fishing boat and fish for hours. Walt loved to travel, he and Arlene traveled to numerous places over the years and loved seeing new places. He was also an avid golfer, and Michigan State Spartan fan. Later in life Walt loved being able to watch his grandchildren play sports. Above all Walt was proud of his work for General Motors and his family.
Walt is survived by his sons, Scott (Julie) Hayward, and Rick (Jennifer) Hayward; grandchildren, Joshua Daniels, Austin (Anna) Hayward, Meghan (Jesse) Seibert, Lance Hayward, and Nicholas Hayward; great-granddaughter, Charlotte; and nephew, Daniel Hayward. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Arlene; brother, William Charles Hayward Jr.; and his parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Walt’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral Services were on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Charlotte, with Pastor Neil Brady officiating. Visitation was held at the church just prior to the service from 10-11:30 a.m. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Walts’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Elks Lodge #680 in Cadillac. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.