Walter Bradford Haywood

Walter was the third of four sons and one daughter born to the late Alfred E. Haywood, Sr. and Julia Dorsey Haywood, on October 13, 1934. His sister, Elizabeth, and his three brothers Alfred, Arthur, and Howard all predeceased him.

Walter and Odell Ingram Haywood married in 1954 and were blessed with a son Kenneth Walter Haywood and two daughters. Odell, Kenneth and son-in-law Robert Moore all predeceased him. He is survived by his wife Carroll Bostic Haywood, daughters, Joy Moore and Deneen Haywood, grandchildren, Christopher Moore, Nicholas Pacheco, Amanda Moore, Noah Decaille, great-grand child, Quintin Pacheco, step-sons, Van Allen and Greg Allen and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Throughout his life, Walter was an avid and accomplished athlete. In his youth he excelled in baseball and grew to have a passion for running, cycling and golf. Walter graduated from Newton High School in 1952 where he studied business. Following his high school graduation, he received and accepted a job offer as an apprentice at the famed Gordon Brothers Group, a retail focused investment firm in Boston. In 1966, Walter became a police officer with the City of Newton Police Department. He was proudly promoted to Police Sergeant in 1976 making history as the first black Police Sergeant on the City of Newton Police Department, serving with honor and integrity for 22 years. Walter retired from the City of Newton Police Department in 1988 and returned to the Gordon Brothers Group until he fully retired in 2003.

Walter was an active member of his community. He volunteered for the Fore Life Golf Program. His love of sports inspired him to volunteer his time teaching young children and teens how to play golf. Walter and Carroll enjoyed traveling. Their most recent cruise adventure brought them to Greece and Turkey, followed by a memorable Thanksgiving cruise with their family. Walter was a man of faith and sang in the Men’s Choir at the historic Myrtle Baptist Church in Newton, Massachusetts, where he was a lifelong member. He also served as a trustee of the church and an usher. Walter continued his love of singing by joining the men’s choir at a local church in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area.

Walter was deeply committed to public service, believing wholeheartedly in the importance of giving back to the community. He actively sought opportunities to make a positive impact, whether through volunteering, participating in local initiatives, or supporting charitable causes. As a passionate cyclist, he enjoyed riding with the “Pillar House Gang” nearly every weekend, finding joy and solace in the fast-paced sport. His riding partner and closest friend the late Ray Acheson rode the famed Pan Mass Challenge together five times. Walter ran the Boston Marathon three times, as well as the Bermuda and the New York City Marathons. In the world of golf, he made five Hole in Ones, and has the trophies to prove it.

A Memorial Service will be held at Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, 2401 Davie Road, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33317, on March 15, 2026, from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm, with the formal program to start promptly at 4:00pm.

A Memorial Service will be held at McMullen Museum of Art, Boston College, 2101 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02135, on March 21, 2026, starting at 3:00 pm, with the formal program to start promptly at 3:30pm.

Walter Bradford Haywood will be remembered fondly for his devotion to his family, his public service, his love of sports, his kindness and grace.