Hayward Spears Sr., barbecue legend and former owner of Kansas restaurant, dies at 88

Hayward Spears Sr., the former owner of longtime Kansas City area barbecue restaurant Hayward’s Pit Bar B Que, died Oct. 2 at the age of 88.

Spears, a legend in the Kansas barbecue scene, also served in leadership roles on the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce, Overland Park Convention and Visitors Bureau and Foundation Board of the Johnson County Community College.

“It’s not often someone gets to do just what he wants to in life like I have,” Spears told The Star in a 1997 report.

He moved from his family’s farm near Hope, Arkansas to Kansas City at the age of 19 for a job washing dishes at 60 cents an hour. It was 1954 and cooking barbecue was his dream. His father had taught him to smoke beef and ribs at a young age over a backyard pit.

A friend helped Spears open his first barbecue place in 1972 at 95th Street and Antioch Road, where he met his wife Hattie Spears, who worked at the restaurant making barbecue sauce, baked beans and potato salad. The couple had three kids: daughter Greta Warren; sons Christopher Spears and Hayward Spears Jr.

Success for Spears came fast, but not easy. The business endured floods and theft. Customers crammed into the tiny restaurant, which later moved from its original location in 1981 and then was bought by a former employee, Eric Sweeney, in 2014.

“I sure never thought [the business] would take off like it did, it’s surprised me no end,” Spears told The Star.

He explained that it was about time he stopped working and focused on his family. But he remained a presence in the world of Kansas barbecue, often frequenting Hayward’s Pit and chatting with customers.

“I have so many wonderful, wonderful faithful friends and no matter where I go — the grocery store, the gas station — they call out ‘Hey, Hayward,’” he told the Star. “I was getting on a plane and someone recognized me. He asked me if I had any ribs.”