William Hays

William Dalton Hays, Sr.

TUSCALOOSA- William "Bill" Dalton Hays, Sr., age 93, died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, at Hospice of West Alabama. He will be remembered for his sportsmanship, competitive spirit and his positive outlook on life.

Bill/"Fuzzy" was born in Tuscaloosa, Al. on October 16, 1925. He spent his early years in Reform, Leeds and Opelika. He was a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. After the war, he returned to Tuscaloosa and attended the University of Alabama. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and earned a BA degree in political science.

He worked as a sales representative for Gulf States Paper Corp. and a branch manager of Tuscaloosa First Federal Savings and Loans before joining the University of Alabama as a Business Administrator for the Russell Student Health Center. He was a member of the Tuscaloosa Exchange Club, The Apollo Club, and The Phoenix Club. Bill was an outstanding athlete who always displayed good sportsmanship. He was inducted into the Alabama Softball Hall of Fame. He was an avid golfer who shot his age on more than one occasion at Indian Hills Country Club. His card playing skills made him a legend in the club's 19th Hole. He was an optimist and chose to see the best in everyone and everything. He will be remembered for his love of life, his welcoming nature, and for always "hanging in there".

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, James "Jim" Benham and Ethel Smith Hays, sister; Ethel "Snookie" Hays Romansky, and his wife Adelaide Howard Johnson Hays. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Elizabeth "Betty" Grimsley Hays, his five children; Fran JohnsonTurner (Britt,IV), Shelby Mackey (Debra), Bill Hays, Jr. (Bettye), Shannon Mackey Wright (David), and Adelaide HaysHouston (John Campbell), six grandchildren; Sara-Elizabeth Turner, Britt Turner V. (Alana), Hays Faulkner McPherson (Bret), Michael Craig Faulkner, Elizabeth Wright Billings (Robert), and Miller Wright (Bliss) and his four great - grandchildren, Knox and Elizabeth McPherson and Brittin and Elliott Turner.

Honorary pallbearers will be hid golf and card playing buddies. Following a graveside service at 2:00 pm on Sunday, June 2, 2019 at Tuscaloosa Memorial Park the family will receive friends at the 19th Hole of Indian Hills Country Club. In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church (900 Greensboro Avenue 35401), or to Hospice of West Alabama (3851 Loop Road 35404) or to the donor's favorite charity. Rev. Michael Bailey is officiating services and Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home North is directing.