William Henry Hayden

William “Bill” Henry Hayden, known to his loved ones as Dad, PePaw, Daddy Bill, and Wild Bill passed away at the age of 92, surrounded by his two daughters, Renee Hayden and Debbie Maschmann, on Saturday, July 1, 2023, in Plano, Texas.

Bill was born on June 18, 1931, in Sioux City, Iowa to his parents, Frederick and Mabel Deloney Hayden. Bill was the 5th child out of 10. There were 7 boys, and 3 girls. Vinton, Theodore, William, Frederick, Clifford, Gerald, and Virgil, Lela, Vera, and Merilla.

After he graduated from high school, Bill immediately joined and proudly served in the United States Army, training in engineering at Ft. Belvoir before serving in the Korean War. Although he was part of the Army, Bill was assigned into SCARWAF (Special Category Army Personnel with Air Force). There were very few airfields in Korea, and the runways they had were constructed by the Japanese before WWII and were not long or strong enough for the current aircrafts to use. Bill’s Unit was responsible for surveying, repairing, and expanding air bases all over Korea. They were usually the only Army personnel stationed with the Air Force. Bill received numerous awards and achievements, including the Korean Service Medal with 5 Bronze Campaign Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. After 3 years of service, he was honorably discharged from the United States Army in 1952. Although he had great love for his country and traveled across the world in his service, he would find an even greater love and adventure back home in the United States.

Bill was always known as a man who was very personable, passionate, and adventurous. However, one special person enhanced and complimented Bill in those aspects of life and much more—the love of Bill’s life, Patricia, or “Pat” as he always called her. Bill and Pat married on Sunday, July 5, 1953, in Sioux City, Iowa. In 1961, Bill and Pat moved from Iowa to Dallas, Texas where Bill studied engineering at Southern Methodist University. With his experience in the Army, Bill began his career at Otis Engineering, a petroleum engineering division of Halliburton. Due to his career, Bill developed a vast knowledge of oil platforms, oil rigs, and machinery that refines the oil we use so much on a day-to-day basis. Due to his knowledge of the refinery machinery, Bill had a unique talent to create fully-functioning scale models of various refining equipment that were commissioned by companies such as Chevron, Sivalls Engineering, and the university in Abu Dhabi. His models were used for teaching and training. Bill donated one of his last models to The Petroleum Museum in Midland, Texas.

Bill’s career helped pave the way for a life of contentment and blessing for him and Pat.  As he and Pat began to create a life for themselves in Texas, they also began their family as they had their daughters, Renee “Nay” and Debra “Debbie.”  Although Bill’s life now was in Dallas, it did not stop him from having adventures with his family.  As the girls grew up, Bill would pile his family in a Winnebago motorhome and drive up to Colorado to do some camping. While most fathers would settle for a typical, safe camping spot on the plains, Bill took that Winnebago to new heights as he and his family scaled mountains fit for 4-wheel drive in the Winnebago. Whether it was trying to fit the large motorhome through narrow mountain tunnels, or zipping down mountain lanes on motorcycles, Bill made sure his family had memories and stories of their adventures together. It is memories like these and many more that create Bill’s legacy of adventure, spontaneity, fun, and a little bit of stubbornness. However, Bill’s sense of passion did not stop at his service to his country or his love of adventure.

Although many would say that Bill was a simple man, he was a man of many passions and talents. He was known as a talented water- and snow-skier, ice skater, and enjoyed boating and sailing. He had a passion for sports like tennis, which he taught his daughters and later gave tips to his grandkids. Bill and Pat also coached the girls’ softball team. He loved the Dallas Cowboys, and the Texas Rangers, and although he never competed in bicycle racing, he was an avid fan of the Tour de France which kept him busy in front of the television every summer. Bill, who grew up as an avid dog-lover, also loved his pet cat, Bentley, who was his companion for many, many years in his house. Bill enjoyed lots of foods like Doritos Locos Tacos from Taco Bell, a simple Chick-fil-a sandwich where he would split the fries with someone else, and good barbeque with potato salad. He also enjoyed enchilada Wednesdays at El Fenix. Movies were another favorite of Bill’s, he liked war movies, car movies, with James Bond and Mission Impossible being some of his favorites. He liked to stay up to date on all types of news by reading his daily newspaper from cover to cover. If he found an interesting article, Bill was known to cut it out of the paper and highlight or underline sections that caught his interest. He would later show his daughters these clips if he thought there were articles that would apply to his daughters’ lives or interests. Not only did he take interest in his family’s life, but Bill also took an interest in his community. Bill was a 32nd degree Freemason as well as a member of the Scottish Rite, and the Shriners. He was also a member of the IOOF. Through these fraternities, Bill was able to help his community and engage with others to make a difference.

Another group that Bill was a member with was the Z Club of Texas where Bill was an active member for over three decades. One of Bill’s greatest passions was his black, 1972 Datsun 240Z, which he spent many afternoons maintaining and driving his prized car with his family and spending time with other members of the Z Club. Bill was the Vice President of the Z Club in 1996, was awarded the Zealous Z award in 1995. That same year, Bill spent several days with Yatuka Katayama, “Mr. K” as he autographed the “Legendry Z” limited edition art print, and Bill hand numbered all 2300 copies. Bill loved the car shows, and was the Car Show Chairman for many years. He was very competitive and passionate about it, and enjoyed it because the Z Club usually took top honors.  Other activities included club meetings, helping with the Z Extra newsletter, serving people in need at the Center for Hope and the Ronald McDonald house, The Trains at North Park, conventions, Texas Tours, and even autocross and track events. Bill drove Drivers Edge track events for years in his red 300ZX convertible, but decided to hang it up in 2017 at the age of 86. The Z Club is not just a car club, it is a group of loving friends that became like family over the years.   His love of cars influenced his daughters’ love for vehicles, and he made memories with them on many racetracks, car shows, and more. Bill even got to celebrate his last Father’s Day with his two daughters by participating in a car show where he won the 3rd place trophy with his red 300ZX. He went home very proud and excited about his trophy. However, his proudest achievement was his family.

Bill was a proud Dad to his two daughters, a friend to his son-in-law, Matt, and a loving PePaw to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bill loved connecting with and talking with his family. He loved telling his family stories of his many adventures in the Army and in Colorado. He loved having conversations about cars and races. He would watch games or matches, and while watching, he would discuss great moves or shots made by players. Bill knew so much about various topics, but if you told him a new fact or observation, you’d be met with a smile and a “No kiddin’!” He loved to spend time with and bonding with his grandchildren, Ryan and Lauren. Ryan and his PePaw would spend time together watching the Tour de France and talking about cars. Lauren and PePaw would sometimes go out to Chick-fil-a or spend time at PePaw’s house where they would talk or watch Fox News. Renee and Dad spent time together discussing different cars and talking about their cats. Debbie and Dad would go out and see movies or do various activities that interested him. Debbie even had the great honor of accompanying Bill to visit Washington D.C. in a special Honor Flight that celebrates and honors veterans from various wars. Bill enjoyed talking with Matt about any kind of racing from bicycles to motorcycles to Formula 1 races. Bill also kept up with his brothers and visited them whenever he could, from the epic family reunions over the years, to the most recent road trip last year with his brother Butch (Virgil)  for a family reunion in Iowa. Family meant the world to Bill, and his legacy of love, adventure, fun, and life-lessons have impacted multiple generations. So many are truly blessed by the time and experiences they were gifted with Bill.

 Although Bill has passed on, we know that he is reunited with his beloved Pat just in time for their 70th anniversary. The moment he passed away, his daughters saw a glimpse of a rainbow outside his hospital window, despite the fact there was no rain or storms around the hospital. They took it as a sign of peace, love, and wonder from their father. Even in the end, it seemed that he was able to give them one last gift of love.

William Henry Hayden will be remembered and honored by his daughters, Renee Hayden and Debbie Maschmann and her husband, Matt; his grandchildren, Ryan Hughes and his wife, Kristine, and Lauren Hughes; his great-grandchildren, Wesley Hughes and Wren Hughes; his brothers, Frederick Hayden, Clifford Hayden, Gerald Hayden and his wife, Ellie, Dr. Virgil Hayden and his wife, Margaret; his sisters, Vera Madison and Merilla Davis; nieces and nephews, Rick Hayden, Warren Madison, Wayne Madison, Kristine Mosora, Marlena Madison Mislivec, Teresa Kaye, Dale Hayden, Valerie Wilkerson, Steve Hayden, Laurie Hayden Wright, Will Hayden, Scott Hayden, Melanie Barta, Tracey Hayden, Michelle Hayden Riley, Bobby Hayden, Virgil Hayden, Edith Hayden, John Davis, Steve Davis, and Sherry Maddox; and many, many friends and wonderful neighbors he gathered throughout his life.

William Hayden is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Patricia Hayden; his parents, Frederick and Mabel Hayden; and his siblings, Lela Hayden, Vinton Hayden, and Theodore Hayden; and nephew, Michael Hayden.

A Life Celebration will be held to honor Bill’s adventurous life on Monday, July 17, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Hughes Family Tribute Center. His funeral service will be held the following day, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 11:30 AM at Hughes Family Tribute Center with a reception to follow. William Hayden will be laid to rest alongside his wife at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery at 2:15 PM following his funeral service and reception.

William "Bill" Hayden will be remembered as a kind, adventurous, and loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend who touched the lives of all who knew him. His zest for life, unwavering dedication to family, and pursuit of his passions will be cherished and honored forever. Bill will be remembered by so many and missed by all.