[originally posted on Amy’s Genealogy, etc. Blog] In honor of this Saturday’s Ohio State/Michigan game (the greatest rivalry in college football!), I’m featuring the grave of legendary OSU football Woody Hayes. Woody and his wife Anne are buried in Union Cemetery in Columbus, not far from the OSU campus.
Although he will always be known for being the coach of the Buckeyes, Woody was also an incredible history buff. He also served in the U.S. Navy in World War II and left the service with the rank of lieutenant commander. An excellent biography of Woody Hayes can be found on the WOSU-TV website.
Wayne Woodrow (Woody) Hayes, Union Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio. Photo by Amy Crow, 29 August 2008, all rights reserved.
The verse reads:
“And in the night of death, hope sees a star
and listening love hears the rustle of a wing.”
Graveyard Rabbit of Central Ohio 
Go Buckeyes!
It is great to see Woody’s tombstone!
What a beautiful epitaph. I have never seen it before. Thanks for the beautiful post and photo.
I will be visiting Columbus this spring. I am a 1976 graduate of OSU. I would VERY much like to pay my respects to this man who gave me so much joy during my college years. Can anyone please provide me with the location of Woody’s burial site?
From one OSU grad to all those others,
God Bless Woody
David Fenton
David,
He is buried in Union Cemetery on Olentangy River Road, just north of the OSU campus. He’s in the new section, which is on the west side of the road. Coordinates are N 40 01.601 W083 01.972. If you go when the cemetery office is open, they can give you a map showing you exactly how to get there.
Amy
RIP Woody! Go Bucks 🙂
I have another famous person for you to go check out- Benjamin Hanby is buried up in Westerville. He’s the guy who wrote “Up on the Housetop.”
thanks for the specifics on how to get to the sacred site of Woddy’s burial. We are alumni of the class of 1975 – we had four solid years of prime Woody enjoyment. Coaches give so much to their players and fans – I am not certain there is much left for their families. I will be there – probably wait for Valentine’s day/his birthday. We are headed to that state up north this Saturday for the Michigan vs OSU game – can’t wait!
Thanks for the post.
I have been searching for Woody`s gravesite with a couple of buddies of mine,We are very,very grateful that this site was able to provide us with this information. I am also a BoyScout leader,and we often get the privelege of ushering some of the OSU home football games. We will now be putting together a trip with our scouts to visit,and pay our respects to this wonderful person. I feel that it is a very important idea that the Boyscouts under my leadership get the chance to visit one of Ohio’s truely great leaders. Thanks again for this valuable information. John G. @ osunutfans@gmail.com
I’m glad you found the post to be helpful. Go Bucks!
Thanks Amy……a sacred site for all Buckeyes!
Cheers and Go Bucks, JMW