Haywood Stanford, Jr.

Haywood Stanford,Jr. quietly entered into his eternal home, in the early morning of November 25, 2020, with family by his side.

Haywood Stanford,Jr. was born on November 4,1940 in rural Elgin to Haywood Stanford,Sr and Mary Elizabeth Glover. He loved being outdoors and loved nature. As a young boy he was taught by his dad to fish and hunt. After graduating from Taylor High School, he joined the Taylor Fire Dept. In 1964, he left the dept for a little while to serve in the U.S. Army. After 6 months of active duty, he was transferred to the Texas Army National Guard, in Taylor. Haywood Stanford,Jr. rejoined the Taylor Fire Dept and was later appointed Fire Marshall/Chief in 1977. He served the City of Taylor for 42 years with almost 30 of that as Fire Chief.

On August 28, 1982 he married Linda Naivar, his soulmate for over 38 years. He was a member of the Taylor Volunteer Fire Dept for many years, a member of the State Fireman and Fire Marshals Association, served on the Board of Taylor Little League, while also a member of St.Mary’s Catholic Church.

Haywood was preceded in death by his parents , step-father, Ralph Parker, his mother and father-in-law, Violet and Clifton Naivar, sister Carolyn Manis and husband Bill, brother -in-laws, Jimmy Gonzales and Ray Logan, and special aunts and uncles, Willie and Violet Glover and Una and Spud Jones. Also, the family fur baby, Zoe.

Haywood is survived by his wife Linda, his daughter Kylie Oglesby (Kevin) of Taylor and son Kenny Stanford of Harlingen, his oldest granddaughter Krystal Stanford and great grandchildren Dominic and Madilyn. Haywood Stanford,Jr. was the proudest PawPaw to Kambri, Katelyn and Kinzleigh Oglesby. He adored these girls and they adored him. They kept him young as long as possible. He is also survived by brother, Paul Stanford (Deneen) sister, Tammie Gonzales, step mother, Denise Stanford, his wife’s sisters and brothers, Theresa Logan, Rachael Dimitt (Danny) Clifton Naivar (Janie) and Cren Naivar (Dori), his Goddaughters Stacie Kopczynski, Sadey Komandosky and Alyssa Gall and his “honey” Celia Sen and many more nieces and nephews, who were all so special to him, along with fur baby Diego and the newest member of the family, Cowboy Beans.

The family expresses their deep appreciation to the Baylor Scott & White ICU in Round Rock, Baylor Scott & White Hospice, Chaplain Mark and Father Tom from St. John Vianney Catholic Church.