Walter Charles Hayden, 87 of Vero Beach, passed away on August 29th at home surrounded by his family. Walter was born on February 11, 1934 in Hackensack, NJ to Walter and Estelle Hayden. Walt served in the US Navy aboard the USS Antietam from 1952-1956. After he went on to work for Public Service Electric and Gas for 40 years in Hackensack, NJ until his retirement in 1999 when he and Reet relocated to Vero Beach.

Walt was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Vero beach and a former member of Zion Lutheran Church in Maywood, NJ. He was also a member of the American Legion, Antietam Association and Brewers AC.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Reet (Pillau) Hayden; Christopher Hayden, son; Cynthia (Garett) Schiefer, daughter and son-in law; Tyler Hayden, grandson and Hayden Schiefer, grand-daughter; Helen Richard, sister; Henry Richard and Matthew Jonasch, nephews; Sharon (Robert) Brady, Susan (John) Frank, Denise (Dave) McAuliffe, Jennifer (Bryan) Moiles and Tina (Matthew) Shackelford, nieces. Walt was pre-deceased by his nephew, Robert Richard.

The Family will receive friends from 2:00 until 4:00 PM and again from 6:00 until 8:00 PM on Wednesday, September 1st at Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home in Vero Beach. A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, September 2nd at Grace Lutheran Church, 1150 41st Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32960. Interment and Military Honors will be held at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, September 8th at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, FL.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions are suggested to National Brain Tumor Society, 55 Chapel Street, Suite 200, Newton, MA 02458 or online at braintumor.org or American Cancer Society, Glioblastoma Research, PO Box 17127, Tampa, FL 33682