Charles "Bill" William Hayward

Bill was a man who accumulated many assets on the balance sheet of life. His greatest asset being his family. Mature beyond his years, as a boy Bill set his sights on the life he wanted and with brilliance and determination pursued his dream. His life was marked by dedication to family, friends, and community (...and golf). He was a man who was there when you needed him, either as a husband, son, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, colleague, or trusted advisor.

Bill died peacefully on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, after a long illness with heart failure. Born in St. John’s, NL in 1937, the son of Frank, a forester, and Anna, a writer, Bill grew up in Grand Falls with his siblings Frances, Jim and Annette. Bill moved to Halifax in 1956 to attend the University of King’s College and Dalhousie University. After becoming a chartered accountant with H.R. Doane & Company (Doane’s), Bill moved back to Grand Falls and married his wife Mary (née Sullivan) in 1962. In 1964, Bill and Mary set off for Boston where Bill attended Harvard Business School, graduating with distinction in 1966. The young couple then returned to Canada and settled in Halifax to raise their family.

With a veritable alphabet of designations and degrees, (BComm, FCPA, FCA, MBA, FCMC, and CBV), Bill spent 50 years advising, growing and serving the business community in Nova Scotia. Highlights included 27 years as a partner at Doane’s (now Grant Thornton) where he established the management consulting practice, 6 years as VP at Atlantic Tractors, co-ordinating the amalgamation of the Halifax Regional Police in 1994 and the Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996, President of the Halifax Club when it opened its doors to women and female members in 1985, inaugural Chair of the QEII Health Sciences Centre (1996-98), Chair of the Halifax Water Commission, and Director of STI. Passionate about his work and helping others, Bill attempted unsuccessfully to retire many times, “finally” retiring in 2015 at age 78.

Bill was a very generous man throughout his life. He supported his children's interests whether it was fundraising to build a permanent structure for Anne to ride horses in at Lancers, debating the benefits of accounts payable invoice filing systems with Maureen, or discussing labor relations with his son Mark. Bill had a strong belief in higher education and diligently saved to fund his children and grandchildren’s education, giving them the gift of graduating debt free.

Bill was predeceased by his sons Mark (1971-2019) and James (1963). Bill is survived by his wife Mary of 60 years, his daughter Anne Cairns, son-in-law Mike, grandsons Patrick and Will Cairns, daughter Maureen, and Mark’s wife, Janel. He is predeceased by his sister Frances Nichols (Gord) and survived by his brother Jim (Carol) and sister Annette (Christian Vandendorpe). A loving uncle, Bill treasured his many nieces and nephews and their children, in particular his niece Sheila Swett, a daughter in his heart.

Bill had one hobby - golf. A passionate golfer for over 60 years, he traveled the world in pursuit of the perfect game. A member of Ashburn golf course for 50 years, at the age of 69, Bill finally achieved a hole in one in 2006 on the No. 3 at the old course. Many of Bill’s friendships and business relationships were formed on the golf course. Many family birthdays and holidays were celebrated at the Ashburn Golf Club.

A funeral service will be held at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Cathedral Way, Halifax, on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 10:00 am. Reception to follow. (Please consider wearing a mask.)

Donations in Bill’s memory can be made to The Hayward Family Scholarship Fund at the University of King’s College or to a charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.JASnowFuneralHome.com for the Hayward family.