Donald S. Hayford

Donald S. Hayford, age 90 of Belle Fourche, died Monday October 22, 2012 at the Belle Fourche Healthcare Center. Services will be held 10:30 am Thursday October 25th, 2012 at Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. There will be no visitation. Interment will be held in the Black Hills National Cemetery, with Military Honors provided by the Belle Fourche Veterans Honor Guard. Donald S. Hayford was born January 9, 1922 in Paterson, New Jersey. He was the son of William and June (Taylor) Hayford. Donald was one of 4 sons, and grew up in a “close knit” family, in New Jersey. After high school, Donald attended the Columbia School of Engineering. He used his skills to help develop airplanes that were used in the Second World War. During WW II, Donald served his country in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946. During part of this time, he was stationed in France. Donald was a radio carrier for most of his service. During these years, he developed some close friendships which were maintained throughout his life. After World War II, Donald and his brother started an engineering company that was named Hayford Associates. Together they created and manufactured many types of machinery used by many companies, including the New York Times. Since 2004, Don has lived with his daughter in Belle Fourche. This past August he moved into the Belle Fourche Healthcare Center where he enjoyed everyone’s attention and friendships. Don loved music his whole life, and he was an accomplished piano and violin player, having played in Carnegie Hall and at the Metropolitan Opera House with the New Jersey Philharmonic Orchestra. Don was an avid student, and he loved to learn. Into his 80’s, he was still taking music lessons. He loved to read and study history, and he always enjoyed going to the Belle Fourche Library. He had a great sense of humor and he will be greatly missed. Donald is survived by his daughter, Bonnie (Kelly) Matthews of Belle Fourche. He was preceded in death by his parents; and 3 brothers, William Jr., John, and Theodore Hayford. Date of Birth January 9, 1922 Paterson, New Jersey Date of Death October 22, 2012 Belle Fourche, South Dakota Funeral Service 10:30 A.M. – Thursday – October 25th, 2012 Funeral Home of the Northern Hills Belle Fourche, South Dakota Officiant  Pastor Jeff Otterman Music “The Old Rugged Cross” (Recorded) Interment Black Hills National Cemetery Sturgis, South Dakota Military Honors Belle Fourche Veterans Honor Guard U.S. National Guard