November 10, 2013

A Celebration of Life memorial service for Rev. William Robert Hayes was Thurs., Nov. 14, at 11 a.m. at East Highland Baptist Church with the Rev. Walter Blackman and Bro. Christopher Campbell officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.

Rev. William Robert “Bill” Hayes, 85, of Hartselle died Sun., Nov. 10, 2013, at Decatur Morgan Hospital. He was born January 18, 1928, in Houston County, Ala.. to Seaborn and Pastoria Meadows Hayes.

A graduate of Cottonwood High School and Howard College in Birmingham, Rev. Hayes was an ordained Southern Baptist minister who preached the gospel of Jesus Christ for over 60 years. He pastored eight churches in Alabama and Georgia and served as interim pastor in two churches in Alabama. He also worked as a technical writer for Hayes Aircraft and Lockheed.

Rev. Hayes was a U.S. Navy veteran, sailing to China immediately following the end of World War II. He loved gardening, fishing, hunting and traveling. He loved spending most of his leisure time outdoors.

After retirement, Rev. Hayes and his wife participated in Campers on Missions and served on various missions capacities including, Seaman’s House in Savannah, Ga., Bookbinding in Mobile, Native Church summer pastor in Ekwok, Alaska and various missions in Superstition Mountains foothills and Tonto Village, both in Arizona.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Faye Greene Hayes of Hartselle; three sons, Robert Earl Hayes and wife Ruth of Tucson, Ariz., William Randall Hayes and wife Sue of Hartselle and David Bryan Hayes and wife Sally of Marietta, Ga.; a sister, Lorie James of Columbus, Ga.; seven grandchildren, Rosemary Hayes of Dallas, Texas, Marianne Campbell and husband Chris and Erin Hayes, both of Hartselle, Amy Hayes of Redding, Calif., Luke Hayes, Nicole Hayes and Patrick Hayes, all of Tucson, Ariz.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the East Highland Baptist Church Building Fund or to the Gideons.