WALTON, Hayden Michael

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, AZ Tuesday, June 07, 2011 Hayden Michael Walton, 13, of Winslow, died June 1, 2011, at Flagstaff Medical Center. He was born June 9, 1997, in Flagstaff. Hayden loved sports and was an outstanding baseball player. He was a member of Angels Little League senior team, the Winslow Junior High wrestling team, and a member of the Little Colorado Wrestling Club. Hayden was also a member of the Winslow Junior High band, playing the trumpet and the euphonium. He always talked about and practiced the high school marching band songs. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 7049. He worked very hard in pursuit of his life advancement and toward his Eagle. He was always prepared and packed everything in the house for a camping trip. He loved being outdoors, loved nature, wildlife and the amazement of what he could find and drag home. With all of his grandfathers involved in drag racing, Hayden began to train and learn how to drive a junior dragster at the age of 7. He competed in his first race at the age of 8, taking second place. He was hooked from that point on. This year he got a new race car. After the first pass, at almost 85 mph, he said "It's a bad dude." He loved when everyone would gather around his car and ask questions. Hayden's sense of humor was one of a kind and he loved to play jokes on family and friends. He always had a swift remark and a proud smirk. Hayden always worked hard and played hard. He loved being with his friends and family. He did whatever it took to get everyone he saw to smile. His big cheesy smile will be missed by his friends and family. He touched many lives. Hayden is survived by his parents, Doug and Carleen; sisters Mercedes and Reanna; grandparents Manning and Connie Walton, Mike and Carla Beeson, and Charles and Liz McLaws; great-grandparents Catherine Brown, Barbara Mclaws, Freeda Beeson, Pauline Thilstead and Rich Randal; aunts and uncles Jeannie and John Jacobs, Michael Beeson, Manny Walton and Carol Moncayo, Afton and Lisa Foster; 10 cousins; and a very large extended family. He was preceded in death by Carl Brown, Phillip McLaws, Walter Thilstead, Norviel (Pinky) Walton, Mary Walton-Randall, Howard and Georgia Hays, and Rochelle Walton. A funeral service will be today at 11 a.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Winslow Stake Center. Interment to follow at Desert View Cemetery, Winslow. Condolences can be sent to www.greers mortuary.com. Greer's Mortuary of Winslow is handling arrangements.