William Gordon Hayter

William Gordon Hayter

July 31, 1943 – May 14, 2019

William Gordon Hayter was born on July 31, 1943 in Long Beach, California. His parents, Morris and Georgene Hayter, were both Texas transplants who moved out west to California. They met, married and raised their two sons, George and Bill, in Long Beach. Bill attended Lowell Elementary School, Will Rogers Junior High School and was the senior class president of Woodrow Wilson High School, graduating in 1961. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California, and followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the United States Marine Corps. Bill was a Captain in the Marine Corps, served as an artillery officer in Vietnam, and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal after his vehicle was ambushed during the Tet Offensive. Once returning home, he received his law degree from California Western University in San Diego, where he was the managing editor of the Law Review. Bill was an attorney for more than 40 years and owned a private law practice in Seal Beach where he specialized in estate planning, wills and trusts. He also served as a Director of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach for 31 years. He was passionate about his sports teams, especially his USC Trojans. He was a Galen Center founder, served as president of the Trojan Club Board of Directors and was a USC season ticket holder for more than 40 years. He loved to travel, play golf and spend time with his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer; his two children and their spouses: daughter Kristen Moore (née Hayter) and son-in-law Tim, son Scott Hayter and daughter-in-law Amanda; and three grandchildren: Tucker, Austin and Caroline. A memorial service celebrating Bill’s life will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Bay Shore Community Congregational Church, 5100 The Toledo, Long Beach, CA, 90803, where Bill and his family attended for more than seventy years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bay Shore Community Congregational Church Endowment Fund.
Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401