Born in Miles City, Terry was the first child of Duane and Velma Hayward. The family moved to Glendive, MT when he was a young child and he grew up digging for dinosaur bones out of their back yard in the bordering Makoshika National Park. They moved to Hamilton, MT during middle school. Terry enjoyed hunting and heading off for solo camping trips in the Bitterroot Mountains over the next few years and graduated from Hamilton High School in 1972.

Always independent and a rebel at heart, he enjoyed partying with friends, racing around town in his '72 Plymouth Duster and generally raising a little hell. He was working at the Texaco gas station in June of 1975 when he gave into the relentless pursuit of a ("too young") lady and took Diane Tuxill, "DeDe", for ice cream at the local A&W. They shared the next 50 years together, marrying in September of 1978 in Hamilton.

While living in Hamilton, Terry and DeDe welcomed their first two children, Teresa Diane and Stacey Duane, and purchased their first home on South 2nd Street. He worked a variety of jobs, primarily in auto parts stores, before the family moved to Butte in 1993 so Terry could pursue a degree in AutoCAD & Drafting. In Butte, they had two more children, Sierra Kathleen and Dakota "Kody" Neal and bought their second home, a large, old house on a hill—truly Terry's dream house—which he proudly remodelled over the next three decades. In December 2021, he retired from the Montana Department of Transportation, after commuting daily to Helena for 26 years.

Most days you could find him sitting in his recliner, in front of his expansive windows, enjoying the view & the remarking on the incoming weather. His beloved dog, Maggie, would be near & eagerly waiting to steal his seat when he stood up. He might also be watching the History Channel or reading the latest Clive Cussler book. And of course, drinking Pepsi & smoking a bowl. He always liked '69 Camaros, and sitting around a campfire while listening to music with a tequila & Coke in his hand. He will be missing out on car shows & gun shows with his sons, ever owning a '72 GMC pickup, taking those trips to Alaska & Australia (once the bridge got built), seeing the completion of his garage and finishing the remodeling of his home.

After a more than three-month battle with sepsis that took his vision, mobility, and gradually his mind, Terry passed away peacefully in the sunlight of that window, with his family at his side.

He will be greeted on the other side by his parents, Duane and Velma Hayward; in-laws, Larry and Kathleen Tuxill; nephew, Jacob Liedle; and long-time best friend/partner in crime/Best Man Pete Donica. He left behind his wife DeDe; children Teresa (Jeff McGrath), Stacey, Sierra, Kody (Bailee); grandchildren Lucas and Olivia McGrath; siblings Dana (Alan Frantzich), Kim, Troy (Tracie); his wife's siblings Laurie (Gary) Goddard, Rick (Bev) Tuxill, Michelle (Dave) Liedle, and Tara (Tim) Holland.

His beloved dog Maggie also remains, keeping watch by the window, no longer needing to wait for an opportunity to steal his seat.

No formal services are planned. His ashes will be spread at his favorite places during a private family gathering. The family extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who has shown so very much love and support during this incredibly difficult time. A special thank you to Pintler Hospice for making Terry's final wish possible, to go home.