Bill Hayes

William Leo “Bill” Hayes Jr., age 60, began his ride through life on March 13, 1963 in Tahlequah, OK. He was the son of William Leo Hayes Sr. and Maxine Kay (Craig) Hayes. Bill graduated high school and made his way as a realtor for many years. The road of life is full of twist and turns that one can never predict, and along the way, he was lucky enough to find someone that shared the same free spirit he had become. Bill married Angi Rogers, on September 20, 2000, and the rest of the ride got a little more exciting.

Bill was one hundred percent original never conforming to the norm, making him easy to be around and call, friend. He never went anywhere someone didn’t know him when he walked in, Oklahoma to Mexico everyone seemed to know Bill. Who wouldn’t want to know Bill? He was a terrible driver, making all road trips exciting, had a wonderful sense of humor and was always up for a good practical joke. He went along with whatever fit the moment making everyone around him feel comfortable, and found time to enjoy the simple things in life, like dropping a line in his favorite fishing hole, enjoying the beauty God had created from a tree stand or snapping pictures of his beloved dogs. Don’t be fooled by his carefree easy going personality, Bill was very competitive and never seemed to lose. Darts, pool, golf, it didn’t really matter the game he knew how to play, and play well. He played hard but knew how to slow things down. With all the excitement of his journey, he never missed a chance to get on his Harley and hear the silence of the wind while enjoying the road. His kids and grandkids were what Bill loved most out of this entire journey, pawpaw daycare was always open. The ride ended unexpectedly for Bill, and on June 9, 2023, in Tahlequah, OK with family at his side he went to ride with Angels. He leaves a hole that will be difficult to fill in all the lives he touched.

Completing life’s ride before him include his parents, a sister-in-law Brandy Hayes, and two cousins Presley Tucker and Cindy Tucker.

Left to remember his amazing trip include his wife Angi of the home, four sons; William Cody Hayes and Sabrina of Lake Anna, VA, James Dylan Hayes and Jennifer of Lake Anna, VA, Kodey Dwayne Kelley and Ashley of Yukon, OK and Jesse Dalton Kelley and Breann of Rogers, AR, three daughters; Jodie Beth Rainwater and Kyle of Tahlequah, OK, Lacey Gail Kelley and Nick of Suffolk, VA, and Aubrie Dayle Hayes and Gavin Enlow of Park Hill, OK, two brothers; David Otto of Tahlequah, OK and Lance Hamby and Robin of Welling, OK, two sisters; Tamela Kay Haley and Drew of Tahlequah, OK and Whitney Gay Shaw and Ron of Tahlequah, OK 10 grandchildren: Damian Leo Hayes, Eli and Silas Rainwater, Maci and Leroy Hayes, Vivian Grace and Valerie Nicole Kelley, Layla Arreola, Ezra William Kelley and Leo Hoyt Enlow, as well as, numerous other friends, family and loved ones.

Funeral services for Bill will be Wednesday, June 14, 2023, 10:00am at First Baptist Church in Tahlequah with Bro. David Jones officiating. Burial will follow at North Ray Cemetery in Hulbert, OK.

Pallbearers will be Cody Hayes, Dylan Hayes, Kodey Kelley, Jesse Kelley, James Sawtelle, and Allen Campbell. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Charles Deason and Mark Lemond

Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, June 13, 2023, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at Reed Culver Funeral Home in Tahlequah.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.reedculver.com for the Hayes family.