- Date Of Birth: December 2, 1926
- Date Of Death: August 10, 2021
- State: Alabama
William J. “Bill” Hayes, age 94, of Valley, Alabama passed away on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at the East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, Alabama.
Mr. Hayes was born on December 2, 1926, in Fairfax, Alabama to the late Roy H. Hayes and Mary Pitts Hayes.
He graduated from West Point High School in 1943 and was a member of the Boy Scouts from 1938 to 1943 earning his Eagle Award at the age of 14. He was a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster from 1941 to 1943.
After graduating high school, he attended the University of Alabama for one year before enlisting in the United States Army. In 1947, he again enrolled at the University of Alabama where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Commerce and Business Administration majoring in Accounting and Banking. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, Beta Alpha Psi Honors fraternity, and Scabbard and Blade. In 1950, Bill accepted an accounting position with the Haskins & Sells CPA firm in Atlanta, Georgia.
He soon returned to Langdale, Alabama and married Virginia Neil on October 10, 1954. He also partnered with his father Roy H. Hayes to form Hayes Grocery, Hardware and Sporting Goods store, which he owned and operated from 1951 to 1994.
During these years, Bill proudly served in both the United States Army and the United States Air Force Reserves. He retired from the USAFR in 1969 after 23 years of service.
Bill served in an instrumental capacity as a businessman and a leader in the shaping of our community. He served as Treasurer for the Valley Incorporation Committee from 1978 to 1980. Bill also was the Finance Chairman during his tenure as a councilman for the City of Valley. He served as the Vice President and as the Director and Loan Officer for the Valley National Bank from 1986 to 2000 when he retired.
Bill was a family-oriented man who loved his family. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, fishing, camping, football, and running. In fact, he and Virginia both completed the 6.2-mile Peachtree Road Race together held in Atlanta in 1986, 1987, and 1988. He was also very active in the church serving as one of the deacons for West Point Presbyterian Church.
Bill is survived by his wife Virginia Hayes; children, Paul, John, Matt, and Jennifer Hayes; grandchildren, Ginger Day (Billy), Justin Crawley, Jacob Hayes, Amber Hayes, John (Trapper) Irvin; great-grandchildren, Isabelle and Abigail McDonald, Laile Crawley and Navaeh Crawley; cousins, Dot Millirons, Louise Rosinski, Brenda Pitts, and Larry Pitts.
