Hayword R. Gardner, 65, of Rock Island, IL, passed away Friday, June 2, 2023, at River Crossing of Moline.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 pm, on Friday, June 23, 2023, at Wendt Funeral Home, Moline, with a one-hour visitation prior to the service from 11:00 am - 12:00. Burial will be in Rock Island National Cemetery.

Pallbearers for the service will be Tony Gardner, Lil Larry Hall, Napoleon Waldrip Jr., Tylin Hall, Markel Hall, and Jaylin Gardner. Honorary Pallbearers are Larry Hall Sr. and Michael Hall Jr.

Hayword was born in Chicago, IL, on October 14, 1957, to Hayword R. and Margaret (Riley) Gardner. He married Kristina Gardner on December 11, 2006, in Rock Island.

He graduated from Fenger High School, class of 1975. Hayword served in the U.S. Air Force for five years. He worked as a Supervisor at GPC - Grain Processing CO. and also a handyman.

Hayword loved playing old-school music/jazz, grilling out, and fishing and was an avid Chicago Bulls & Chicago Bears fan. He also enjoyed playing cards (Spades).

Survivors include his wife, Kristina Gardner; daughter Angela Williams; sons Jaylin R. Gardner of Rock Island, IL, Markel (Aerio) Hall of Rock Island, IL, and DeVonte Hall of Rock Island, IL; seventeen grandchildren; sister, Debra Cameron; special cousins Lynn Riley, JoAnn Riley & Barry Peatey, John Riley, and Kevin Riley; a host of nieces and nephews, and his close friend Kenny.

Family and friends are invited to express condolences at wendtfuneralhome.com.