Willis G Haynes

Willis G. "Bill" Haynes, 91, passed away in his home, surrounded by his loved ones, on March 23, 2023. He was born on September 12, 1931 to Ruby (St. Clair) and W. R. Haynes in Dalhart, Texas. His early years were spent in the panhandle of Texas at the height of the Dust Bowl. While farming the land at this time was extremely difficult, Bill had many happy memories of friends and family coming together. He would often tell stories of his mother, father, and twin sisters, and the antics he shared with his school buddies. As the son of a farmer, Bill was not interested in growing crops, but was fascinated with the mechanics of the farm equipment used on the farm. This led him as an older teenager to begin working on the construction of grain elevators in the area and ultimately a career working with heavy equipment.

Immediately following the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War, Bill enlisted in the Army at the age of nineteen. He served as a Sergeant in the Army Corps of Engineers, 84th Engineer Construction Battalion for three years. Much of this time was spent on the front lines of the war, constructing roads and bridges and developing his skills operating cranes and bulldozers. Upon his return to civilian life, Bill continued to work with heavy equipment, building missile silos in the Midwest. He was initiated into the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 101 out of Kansas City in the mid 50's as a heavy equipment and crane operator. During this time, he also attended Kansas State University where he studied Civil Engineering.

While working in Wichita, Kansas, Bill started dating Patricia Sharp. They were wed in December of 1961. After their wedding, they moved to Missouri. On Bill's thirty first birthday, then President Kennedy gave his famous speech about landing a man on the moon before 1970. Bill followed the work and need for crane operators to Titusville, Florida. He worked on the Vehicular Assembly Building (VAB) and the Vertical Integration Building (VIB). He also transferred to IUOE Local 673, where he remained a member until his death. In 1965, he and his best friend started Dixon & Haynes Equipment Company. He devoted much time to the company, that provided heavy equipment services and heavy equipment rental services. Bill was predeceased by his "little bride", Pat Haynes, his parents Ruby and Dick Haynes, and his twin sisters, Doris Spencer and Dorothy Hill. He is survived by his daughters, Kathy Fox of Titusville, Jill (Gerd) Czekalla of Dusseldorf, Germany, and son, Garrett Haynes of Titusville. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Steven (Lauren) Westmoreland, Talan (Savanna) Westmoreland, Patrick (Megan) Haynes, Caroline Haynes, Alec Czekalla, Claudia Czekalla, and Eva Czekalla. He was also blessed to be survived by seven great granddaughters: Aubrey, Zoey, Gianna, Lydia, Laurelei, Haven, and Holly and one great grandson, Wade, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

His memorial service will be held on March 31, 2023 at 10:30 at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims.

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