Local Man who Served in U.S. Army in Vietnam War and a Business Owner, William Earl Hayhurst, Passes
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on August 01, 2025
William Earl Hayhurst passed away on July 30, 2025 from multiple myeloma. The only son of the late Kenneth Earl and Otie Rohm Hayhurst, was born July 29, 1945, in Boca Raton, FL. His grandparents were the late Orval and Brooksie Parks Hayhurst, and William and Dessie Rohm.
William is survived by his wife, Winona Navonda Harbert Hayhurst, whom he married on June 17, 1967 after serving in Vietnam for one year; two children, Tabatha (Mathew) Hayhurst-Keith, and Adrian (Marcie) Hayhurst. Also surviving are his sisters, Lenita Wagner, Janice (Allen) Wilson, Rita (Peter) Komer; sisters-in-law Carol Robey, Darlene (Gene) Goff; brother-in-law Ricky Harbert. He’s also survived by several
nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews whom he loved dearly.
nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews whom he loved dearly.
Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by one sister-in-law, Lurella Maxey; and brothers-in-law Tom Wagner, Bill Robey, and Robert Maxey.
William was a farmer by heart and a draftsman project engineer by necessity. He liked his day job, but the garden, chasing cows, putting up hay, and butchering was in his blood when he was younger.
During his service in Vietnam, he served the Army as a field medic. He worked for several companies in the area, Galis, FMC, Industrial, and Erwin and Long Airdock. After a while, he started his own consulting company, and worked until he couldn’t keep up with the fast pace he wanted to do. He retired and joined the Shinnston Senior Citizens every Friday for bingo, good food, and fellowship. During the winter months, he read the Bible, books from Lowe Library, worked jig saw puzzles, did Sudoku puzzles, coloring in adult coloring books, and watched old Westerns on TV.
He and Navonda were active members of the Bible Baptist Fellowship Church in Gypsy, until his disease didn’t allow him to attend. William missed his church family very much. He also enjoyed singing in the church choir, especially at Christmas time. He also helped people without them knowing, if possible. A quiet man of few words, but a loving man in all ways.
We want to thank WVU Medicine Hospice for care during the last month of his life. Also the North Shinnston Baptist Church for adopting him and Navonda, and the girls at the Lowe Library who went above and beyond.
Donations may be made to WVU Hospice, or Bible Baptist Fellowship Church at PO Box 151 Gypsy, WV 26361 in his honor.
Friends will be received at Harmer Funeral Home on Sunday August 3, 2025 from 4:00PM-8:00PM. A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 4, 2025 at 11:00AM with Pastor Patrick Senoff officiating. Interment will follow at Shinnston Memorial Cemetery.
Online memories and condolences may be shared at harmerfuneralhome.com
A service of Harmer Funeral Home, Shinnston.
