Jacksonville Journal
Ray Hayes
William Ray Hayes, 71, of R.R. 1, Jacksonville, died early Friday, Jan. 5, 1996, at Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville.
He was born Feb. 28, 1924, in Alexander, the son of Willie Roe and Bessie Mae Upchurch Hayes. He married Lela Bernice Brown Nov. 19, 1955, in Hernando, Miss., and she survives.
He is also survived by four sons, Larry Sitton (wife, Debbie), David Hayes (wife, Debbie), Marty Hayes (wife, Toni) and James Hayes, all of Jacksonville; two daughters, Mrs. Dale (Karen) Fornoff of Havana and Mrs. Bud (Susie) Black of Jacksonville; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Zella Turner and Mrs. Louise (Kaye) Reno, both of Jacksonville; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Hayes was a self-employed auto mechanic. He was an army veteran of WWII serving overseas and was awarded one silver and three bronze battle stars.
Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Gillham-Buchanan Funeral Home in Jacksonville with burial in Ebenezer Cemetery, north of Jacksonville. Friends may call after 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home where family will meet friends 5-7 p.m. Memorial gifts may be given to the Hayes family.