William G. Hayward, Jr., 78, long-time Beacon Hill resident, died peacefully on July 16, 2021 in the company of his wife, Anne, and daughter, Katie, after a brief illness.

Bill was born at Massachusetts General Hospital, grew up in Milton, MA, and was a proud member of the first graduating class from Catholic Memorial High School, West Roxbury. He continued his education at Boston College, graduating in the class of 1965, and has maintained numerous deep BC friendships and ties throughout the years. It being the Vietnam War era, Bill enlisted in the United States Marine Corp., serving an active tour of duty outside Da Nang. He returned to Vietnam a few years ago and was warmly welcomed, which helped him to reconcile with the time he spent in service to his country. While in Vietnam he was most proud of his role as a volunteer English teacher to young Vietnamese students.

Upon returning from Vietnam, Bill earned his J.D. from New England School of Law and began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney under William O’Malley in Plymouth County. Bill ultimately gravitated to the practice of labor law and spent many years representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as Labor Counsel at the Office of Employee Relations, from which he was appointed Commissioner of Labor Relations by Governor Michael J. Dukakis in 1990. At the Commission, Bill was responsible for the enforcement of the Commonwealth’s public and private sector collective bargaining laws. Upon the completion of his appointment as Commissioner, Bill continued his legal career as an independent Arbitrator concentrating on adjudicating labor and employee relations issues. He also served on the faculty of the Donahue Institute of the University of Massachusetts and was appointed by Governor Charlie Baker to the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations Advisory Board. Bill retired from the practice of law a few years ago, but continued to maintain his interests in his field and relationships with his colleagues.

Bill was a committed husband and father and was most proud of his daughter, Katie, also an alumna of Boston College and BC Graduate School of Social Work. He shared his love of Boston College football with his family and many of his friends, as well as his interest in history and his love of Boston and Cape Cod. He was active in neighborhood affairs on Beacon Hill, was well traveled, well read and well loved by many.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 68 Cardinal O’Connell Way, Boston, MA on Thursday, July 29 at 3pm. Relatives and friends are cordially invited. Burial, which will be private, will be at the National Cemetery at Bourne, with full military honors, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Bill would appreciate donations to St. Francis House, 39 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116.