William Hayden Obituary

William Mark Hayden N. CHARLESTON - William Mark Hayden, of North Charleston, husband of Deborah Steverson Hayden, passed away on August 2, 2025. Born in Bardstown, Kentucky on March 13, 1957, he was preceded in death by his parents, John Loy Hayden and Dorothy Siegrist Hayden. Mark truly enjoyed growing up in Bardstown with a large extended family, making many lifelong friendships. He was an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, and he was an honorary Kentucky Colonel. He graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1981 with a degree in finance and in 1983 with a degree in accounting. He remained a lifelong fan of sports at The University of Kentucky. Mark worked more than 36 years at the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department, Disability Determination Services, as a Disability Examiner and Supervisor. He was a Disability Hearing Officer for the last 16 years. Mark was a retired member of the National Association of Disability Examiners, and of the South Carolina Association of Disability Examiners. He was a past member of the Charleston Jaycees. Mark enjoyed golf, bowling, and traveling. The beach was his favorite place to vacation. He was a lover of classic rock, blues, and beach music. Mark cherished his extended family and close friends. He was deeply devoted to the love of his life, Deborah, his wife of 32 years. He enjoyed a special relationship with his nieces, Dr. Langley Martinez (Rogelio) and Caroline Steverson of Columbia, S.C. and Brianne (Mason) Haynes of Florence, S.C. The newest joys of his life were great-nieces and great-nephew of Columbia, who called him Uncle Marka-Mark: Elena, Hugo, and Valeria Martinez. Mark is also survived by brothers-in-law, James Steverson (Susan) and Dr. Brian Steverson (Adriane); sister-in-law, Pamela Rainwater (Stuart); special aunt-in-law, Sandra Steverson and uncle-in-law, Dr. Roger Stevenson (Leslie). Mark had many, many cousins who stayed in touch and supported him throughout his life. He was especially grateful to his lifelong "Best Buddies", with whom he enjoyed many adventures, and who supported him during his long battle with cancer - Phillip (Janet) Parrott and Randy (Nancy) Riley. Mark cherished his "second" Kentucky family, Patsy "Momma P" Parrott and Peggy Parrott Bradley. He had a special relationship with his "adopted" sister, Becky Ferguson. He was thankful for special friends Alex Johnson, Joey Pleasants, and Lynn Ricker who checked on him regularly. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 14, at Carolina Memorial Funeral Home on Rivers Avenue in North Charleston. Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Mark chose to be cremated, so in lieu of flowers, donations in Mark's name may be made to PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network), Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Donation Center, P.O. Box 5041, Boone, IA, 50950-0041.