Walter Maurice Hayward Sr.

Walter Maurice Hayward Sr. 45 of Freeport, Illinois departed his earthly life Friday November 26, 2021, peacefully at home. Walter was born October 12, 1976, in Freeport, Illinois the son of Walter Macon and Lorita Burris. He received his education through Freeport School District 145, graduating in 1996. After high school Walter enrolled in Highland Community College where he pursued a degree in Music Education. Walter participated in Star Search talent competitions and was 1st place on countless occasions. Walter married the love of his life Kendra Marie Williams. Kendra brought into the union daughter Josinia Williams and son Percy Fleming. The couple together brought Walter Hayward Jr. and Franklin Hayward. Walter ambitiously pursued his music career with passion at an early age as one of his elementary teachers assisted in his initial spark for singing. His initial love for singing is rooted in Gospel Music as his teen years were spent singing at his Home Church First Church of God where he held the position as Choir Director. Walter as lead vocalist sung in several bands in the Freeport and Rockford area in his earlier years of doing music. His senior year in Highschool he traveled with his high school varsity Choir for Showtime down to New Orleans for the French Quarter Festival a Major Event of High School Choirs from all over the country. In 1995 Walter was able to Audition for the Sounds of Blackness with Ann Nesby & Big Jimmy Wright both from Rockford, IL to join the act, the opportunity is something he always remembered and was grateful for. In 1996 after graduating from high school Walter joined the Royal Scots and the Community Choir at Highland Community College. While in the Community choir they traveled to Rome and sung at the Vatican for Morning Mass. Later that same year, He signed to a company called 815 records who was a local Hip Hop/Rap/RnB label Mainly Called the 815 Click which was comprised of Antonious, The Kee, Direk, Kowanda Jones {Quarta Key & Beep The Young Playas} & Monet'. Walter sung Hooks on many of the Click's songs and wrote his own songs as well. the Group won two Rockford Rami Awards for Best Rap/Hip Hop group in 1999 and again in 2002 for the Young Playas as a solo act they performed at Rockford's Waterfront festival and many shows in Illinois Iowa & Minnesota, Walter is a favorite around the Stateline and beyond. Walter has written songs for a holiday CD that came out called seasons. Which he co-wrote It's That Time of the Year with Trevern Mazique and a Christmas CD that they put together with classics such as an acapella version of 'O Holy Night.' Walter started another local Gospel Group called "Purpose" which combined some of Freeport's finest talent, who performed at many church functions in and out of the state line area. Walter has performed at numerous events throughout the state and beyond. Walter had his own production studio and business, WMH Entertainment and publishing company JoceyBoolin publishing. Walter was working on his debut album ' Journey of a Man' in the studio. Walter sang and recorded song entitled Sweet November produced by Trevern Mazique a music video was produced an is on YouTube and other streaming devices. Notable accomplishments about Walter; he was the Director of FYI Youth Empowerment program of Freeport Illinois, he volunteered head basketball coach for the KWBA traveling AAU team, Walter's Rockport clothing line came out the summer of 2020, Walter Hayward ran for Mayor of Freeport, IL in 2021, He was a Member of the Executive Committee of the Freeport Branch NAACP #3039, the Chair of the Young Adult Committee, and Member of the Communication, Press, and Publicity Committee of the NAACP. Walter coached Sleezer Home Basketball and won numerous championships as Head Coach. He also coached Freeport Middle 8th Grade girls ‘basketball team, Freeport High School Assistant Coach for football and basketball. Walter worked as a special education teacher for several years with the Freeport School District 145. The countless lives of youth and young adults that he has impacted and motivated to press on to be the best version of themselves with overcoming all adversities is phenomenal. Walter even worked with the Freeport School District to carry out a Star Search for the middle schoolers where he and his commitee worked with the students with showcasing their talents. He encouraged the student body to provide nonperishalbe items for their entry fee into the event to provide to the local soup kitchen or other community based establishments to be donated to those in need. Walter was very passionate about music as he was also enthused about higher education. Walter was recently pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice where he was an honor student with an astonishing g.p.a of 4.2. He believed in all playing grounds being level for all humanity and in his recent years in additional to music became a community activist. Walter partnered with his local community and city leadership for justice, peace equality and positive change for Freeport. Walter had a heart for young adults in Freeport and had current plans in place for a forum as he was not throwing away his shot at transforming and uplifting his community. Walter loved his children, and in recent years spending time with his two grandchildren Walter had a love for singing and higher learning and would listen to all genres of music daily. Walter used his pass time to indulge in painting and singing in the studio. Walter found time to speak with his siblings and mother Lorita almost daily and with the current state of the union Facetime was the means. Walter was an avid Chicago Bears fan and enjoyed taking his children to professional sports games. He leaves to cherish his memories his children sons; Walter Hayward Jr., Franklin Hayward and stepson Percy Fleming of Freeport, IL., stepdaughter; Josinia Williams of Freeport IL Mother Lorita Burris of Freeport, IL., Father Walter Macon of Freeport., three brothers Calvin Johnson of Freeport, IL., Demetric Macon of Freeport, IL, and Gary Griffin Farrar of Rockford IL., of three sisters; Christina (Jarvis) Marshall Hartshaw, Tiffany (Tyrone) Woods both of Jackson, TN and Emma Thill of Freeport IL., a special god sister Merry C. Liburd, grandson Walter Hayward III (Mother Kaylie Spradlin) and two granddaughters Alayah Hayward (Mother Leah Ryan), and Ajrienna Fleming, his sweet maternal Grandmother Merry Melody Liburd of Freeport, IL, his loving paternal aunt Virginia Holloway of Milwaukee, WI special friend Amber Henning of Freeport, IL and a great host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends of whom Walter loved dearly. Walter was preceded in death by his maternal great-grandparents Frank and Berniece Burris, and Grandfather Rupert Liburd, his paternal grandmother Bonnie Holloway and paternal great grandmother Jessie Howard, stepfather Gary Farrar and special uncle and mentor Jeffrey Allen Burris Sr. Walter will always be remembered in our hearts and memories as a loving, kindhearted man and for sure the Voice of Freeport. Walters love for his children, grandchildren, mother, siblings and other special friends and family members will continue to be felt through lasting memories. The memories of all the singing, the laughing, family gatherings and special events will always carry on. His ambition for reaching his life goals was encouraging to many. The life lessons Walter exemplified and expressed of never giving up and pursuing his dreams have impacted countless lives and will always be remembered and carried on in the lives of his dear family friends and loved ones. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Services will be held at 1:00 P.M on Friday December 3, 2021, at Mount Calvary Church of God in Christ. A visitation will be held on December 2, 2021, at Burke and Tubbs Funeral Home from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. There will also be a visitation Friday from 11:00 A.M. until the time of service. Burial will be in Freeport City Cemetery. Previous Events Visitation DEC 2. 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CT) Burke Tubbs Funeral Home- Freeport 504 N. Walnut Street Freeport, IL 61032 https://burketubbs.com Loading map Visitation DEC 3. 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (CT) Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ 420 Challenge Street Freeport, IL 61032 Loading map Funeral Service DEC 3. 1:00 PM (CT) Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ 420 Challenge Street Freeport, IL 61032 Loading map