Obituary for William James Haywood
William James Haywood, age 79, passed away at his home in Ypsilanti, Michigan, on Thursday, February 18, 2021, after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Goodman, Mississippi on August 30, 1941 to James Garfield Haywood and Leora Horton Haywood-Wells and he was affectionately called “Willie” by most.
Willie’s family relocated to Michigan in 1942, where he grew up and attended public schools in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He graduated from Pioneer High School in 1959 where he played football and was a notable, very fast and agile half back, which was a great advantage to his team. Willie was also a very competitive track and field athlete who excelled and was recognized and awarded for setting high cross country performance records and or standards. Additionally, he had an interest in culinary arts and participated in what is today known as a cooperative on the job training program as a food preparation assistant and short order cook assistant, at an Asian restaurant that was located in downtown Ann Arbor.
Following graduation, Willie married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Mary Baker, and to that union four children were born; Terri, Carl, Leah and Kurtis Haywood. Further, Willie took a job that he worked for more than 30 years or until he retired, as a regional mail pickup and delivery driver for Orin W. Troup, a private United States postal subcontractor.
Willie loved to fish and hunt with a few of his close buddies and friends. He also enjoyed helping family, friends and a few clients with carpentry and remodeling projects. Willie was a natural, a perfectionist and a take charge person when executing any home repair task or any home remodeling project. He was an independent self-reliant individual who could do almost anything he set his sights toward. Willie was also very creative, an artist who created one of a kind decorative mirrors for folks who had an appreciation for the extraordinaire. He was also an excellent host, most noted for hosting large gatherings at home, together with his family and friends throughout the years of his life.
Willie leaves behind to cherish his memories, his devoted life friend and ex-wife, Margaret Mary Haywood, and their children; Terri Haywood, Carl Haywood, Leah (Will Higgs), Kurtis Haywood (Patricia), all of Ann Arbor, Michigan. He also leaves two sisters, Georgiana O’Hearn, of Chicago, Illinois, and Angela Gregory, of Ypsilanti, Michigan; two brothers, William Wells (Edith) of Ypsilanti, Michigan, and Robert Wells, of Ypsilanti, Michigan; 12 grandchildren; six great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; other relatives; and many close family friends.
Willie was preceded in death by his parents; his younger brother, Leslie Wells; and his younger sister, Carolyn Wells-Ivy.
At Willie’s request, no service will be held. However the family will host a memorial service in his honor later this year.
Willie, rest in peace, for you are much loved and will be greatly missed by all whose lives you touched.
Willie’s family relocated to Michigan in 1942, where he grew up and attended public schools in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He graduated from Pioneer High School in 1959 where he played football and was a notable, very fast and agile half back, which was a great advantage to his team. Willie was also a very competitive track and field athlete who excelled and was recognized and awarded for setting high cross country performance records and or standards. Additionally, he had an interest in culinary arts and participated in what is today known as a cooperative on the job training program as a food preparation assistant and short order cook assistant, at an Asian restaurant that was located in downtown Ann Arbor.
Following graduation, Willie married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Mary Baker, and to that union four children were born; Terri, Carl, Leah and Kurtis Haywood. Further, Willie took a job that he worked for more than 30 years or until he retired, as a regional mail pickup and delivery driver for Orin W. Troup, a private United States postal subcontractor.
Willie loved to fish and hunt with a few of his close buddies and friends. He also enjoyed helping family, friends and a few clients with carpentry and remodeling projects. Willie was a natural, a perfectionist and a take charge person when executing any home repair task or any home remodeling project. He was an independent self-reliant individual who could do almost anything he set his sights toward. Willie was also very creative, an artist who created one of a kind decorative mirrors for folks who had an appreciation for the extraordinaire. He was also an excellent host, most noted for hosting large gatherings at home, together with his family and friends throughout the years of his life.
Willie leaves behind to cherish his memories, his devoted life friend and ex-wife, Margaret Mary Haywood, and their children; Terri Haywood, Carl Haywood, Leah (Will Higgs), Kurtis Haywood (Patricia), all of Ann Arbor, Michigan. He also leaves two sisters, Georgiana O’Hearn, of Chicago, Illinois, and Angela Gregory, of Ypsilanti, Michigan; two brothers, William Wells (Edith) of Ypsilanti, Michigan, and Robert Wells, of Ypsilanti, Michigan; 12 grandchildren; six great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; other relatives; and many close family friends.
Willie was preceded in death by his parents; his younger brother, Leslie Wells; and his younger sister, Carolyn Wells-Ivy.
At Willie’s request, no service will be held. However the family will host a memorial service in his honor later this year.
Willie, rest in peace, for you are much loved and will be greatly missed by all whose lives you touched.