Richard Haywood

Richard Haywood, 85, of Washington, Illinois, passed away January 31, 2023 in the company of family.

Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at Dysart – Cofoid Funeral Chapel, Granville.  Military honors will be at 1:00 p.m.  Cremation rites will be accorded. 

He was born in Spring Valley, Illinois, to Elmo and Carlene (Mavity) Haywood May 19, 1937. He grew up in DePue, Illinois with his three brothers and five sisters. He was preceded in death by his sisters Elizabeth (Betty) Wozniak, Sandra Raccuglia, Gayle Revels, and his brothers James and Raymond. He attended DePue Grade School and Hall High School in Spring Valley.

He left high school to join the army infantry division in 1955 and transferred to the 1^st Airborn Battle Group where he earned his parachute badge. After his discharge in 1959 he worked for Castagnoli in Granville briefly before going to work for the Illinois Department of Transportation, traveling around the state repairing and rehabilitating some of the numerous covered bridges. This was something he was always very proud of. He joined Operating Engineers Local 150 in 1964 and had a long career as a heavy equipment operator, retiring in his mid-60s. He joined American Post 180 in Granville late in life and was an active member until 2015.

Rich enjoyed socializing and made friends easily, he could pick up a conversation with just about anyone he met. He was part owner in a bar in the late 70’s called the Four Aces, located in Mark, Illinois.  This gave him the opportunity to do what he loved, stand around chatting with people while sipping on a beer.

He moved to Arizona in 2015 to be near his daughter Laurel, where he enjoyed the desert scenery and loved to go to the local bars and listen to the live country music.  He became friends with several of the local musicians and really connected with one of the female performers. They married in 2017. After the sudden passing of his wife Vickie (Moyer) in 2018, Rich moved back to Illinois and lived in Washington until the time of his death.

He is survived by his; children, Rick (Carol) Haywood of Middleton, Idaho, Michael (Lori) Haywood of Washington, Illinois, Laurel Haywood of Holbrook, Arizona, and Shawn (Diana) Haywood of Middleton, Idaho; grandchildren: Melody Mullin, Corey, and Kyle Haywood, Sheena Lott, Garrick Haywood, Kayleigh  Bonneur, Christina, Hanna, Jesse, and Patrick Gabaldon, Brittany and Ashley Haywood; numerous great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; brother Carl, and his sisters Barbara Bezley, and Debra (Danny) Ellis.

Contributions may be made Granville American Legion Post #180.

Online condolences may be made to his family at www.dcfunerals.com

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