UPDATE: Labor mourns the passing of Hayward Granier
No funeral arrangements are final. Later in July a "Celebration of Life" ceremony will be scheduled for family and friends to attend.
Byrn Funeral Home in Mayfield, KY is in charge of arrangements.
By BERRY CRAIG
AFT and KEA retiree
The Kentucky labor movement mourns the death of Hayward Granier, 75, of Mayfield, retired general chairman of the ICG Federation of BMWED-IBT.
Brother Granier died Thursday.
He retired in 2020. He was a 1972 graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University, where he majored in English language and literature.
Brother Granier is survived by his wife, Anita, and two sons, Jude and Evan, and their families.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
FROM THE BMWED:
Our Brotherhood is saddened to relay the news that former Illinois Central Gulf Federation General Chairman Hayward J. Granier, 75, has died.
Brother Granier passed away on May 29, 2025 in Mayfield, Ky., due to complications from cancer. He is survived by his loving wife, Anita, their two sons, Jude and Evan, and four grandchildren.
Brother Hayward was a dedicated, smart and hard-working man who graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University, earning a BA in English and Literature. Brother Hayward devoted over 47 years to the railroad and our Brotherhood, beginning his career as a trackman with the Illinois Central Railroad on August 7, 1973.
A proud member of Lodge 1165 in New Orleans, Brother Hayward rose through the ranks of the Illinois Central Gulf Federation (ICGF), serving as Chairman of the Executive Board in 1984, Vice Chairman in 1986, and General Chairman from 1988 until 2016, winning eight terms, including a contested election in 2016. In 2020, he played a pivotal role in the merger between the ICGF and the Unified System Division, providing leadership as the Senior Advisor until his retirement on December 31, 2020.
"Brother Hayward was not only a fellow Union representative but also one of the longest-serving BMWED representatives and the wisest representative I've known,” BMWED President Tony D. Cardwell said. “He was a close friend and someone I always sought counsel from even after his retirement. I have many fond memories of Hayward and cherish the time I spent working with and alongside him. Our Union has lost one of the best."
Molly Collins, a colleague of 23 years, shared, "Hayward dedicated his life to fighting the good fight for the men of the Illinois Central Gulf Federation and put off retirement until he was 70 years old because he loved what he did. I remember him telling me over a year after he retired that he still woke up dreaming about the railroad. He was my boss, a friend, and confidant. The Union lost a good one for sure."
Brother Hayward Granier’s legacy of service, leadership, and friendship will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and our Union he served so faithfully. Our deepest and most sincere condolences go out to Anita, their two sons and extended family and friends of Brother Hayward.