Hayden Wiley LaFon

Hayden Wiley LaFon, age 75 of Wilmington, North Carolina died Thursday, September 28, 2023, at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills in Forest City.  Hayden was born on July 2, 1948, in Hampton, Virginia and was a son of the late Theodore LaFon and Dorothy Ellen Spence LaFon.  He had recently been a resident of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Hayden grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and graduated from Virginia Beach High School and later the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.   While in high school he fell in love with woodworking and refinishing.  He pursued this as his career where he had his own furniture refinishing business.  Hayden was also an ordained Pastor who established a non-denominational church and Christian school called Joy Cathedral in High Point. 

His hobbies included playing Golf and supporting the New York Yankees.  Hayden loved his family deeply and he especially enjoyed Christmas.  He delighted in making Christmas special for his children and family.  

He is survived by his son, Phillip Andrew LaFon and wife Christina of Ellenboro,  his daughters, Christina LaFon Rhoads and husband William Timothy Rhoads of Forest City, Chery LaFon Smith and husband Robbie of Ellenboro, his brother, Harmon LaFon of Chesapeake, VA, his sisters, Laura Pittman of Chesapeake, VA, and Linda DeVinney of Morrice, MI.  There are also eight grandchildren, Andrew Rhoads, Anna Marie Rhoads-Millwood, Ashlyn Waters, Holden Waters, Julia Rhoads, Caleb Smith, Hannah Grace Smith and Ethan Smith. 

A memorial service will be held at 11 o’clock on Monday, October 2, 2023, in The Padgett and King Chapel with Pastor Jake Vaughn officiating.  There will be no formal visitation. 

The Padgett and King Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of arrangements and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.