WEEMS—It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we announce the passing of Captain Durell Winter “Buddy” Haydon, 79, on June 25, 2025. A man of many talents and interests, Captain Buddy leaves behind a legacy of love, adventure, and generosity that will be cherished by all who knew him.
He was born on January 24, 1946, in Weems. From an early age Buddy was known for his adventurous spirit and generosity as well as his love of motorcycles. He was an avid rider for most of his life. Buddy also enjoyed building dune buggies, working on vehicles, tinkering in his shop, metal detecting, diving, hunting, piloting his Cessna plane and enjoying time with family and friends.
As a teenager Buddy worked for Windmill Point, even traveling to Key West, Florida, to work at their resort for a time when he was 16. Buddy began his fishing career in Reedville at the age of 16 as a cork puller on a Pogey boat, back when the nets were pulled by hand, until they discovered his real age and put him off the boat. He returned as soon as he turned 18. Eventually, he followed the fishing industry to Mississippi, making his home for several years in Pascagoula, before moving DTR to Empire, Louisiana, where he finished out his career and raised his family. He worked his way to engineer, first mate, pilot and eventually captain. Having visited and fallen in love with the mountains of Virginia, he retired and spent the rest of his life on his property with his family.
In later years, he loved to reminisce about the old days, whether it was stories from growing up, his years fishing, or his friends and family. He could spin a good tale that kept you interested.
Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, Hubbard Barron Haydon Sr. and Ruth Inez Bullis Haydon, three brothers and two sisters-in-law, William Hubbard Haydon and Mary Abbott Haydon, Hubbard Barron Haydon Jr. and Susan Colley Haydon, and David Terry Haydon; two sisters who died as infants; and his best friend, Zane Nance.
Captain Buddy is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ramona Mae Degges Haydon; his daughter and son-in-law Dawn and Stephen Flowers; his granddaughters, Heather Lee Flowers and her fiancé Jacob Motley, (all of Bedford) and Stormi Dawn Flowers (North Carolina); his brothers, Harry James Haydon and his wife Jo Haydon (Paso Robles, California), and Garry Leroy Haydon (Bohannon), three sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law, Joan Benson (Weems), Ella Jo Somers (Lively), James and Mary Gordon (Hampton), and Ray Degges (Smithfield); numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, family and friends. He is also survived by his bonus daughter, Lulu Latham (Belle Chasse, Louisiana).
Captain Buddy’s life was a life well lived, full of love and adventure, and he will be greatly missed.
There will be no service at this time.
