William Joseph Hayes

William (Bill) Hayes passed away peacefully, with his wife Diane by his side, on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at his home in Anthem Golf and Country Club, Arizona. Bill and his twin brother, James Francis, were born on April 18, 1952, to Mary and James Hayes in Newark, New Jersey. Bill was raised in Paramus, New Jersey where the family grew to include a younger brother, John Dennis and a sister, Mary Elizabeth.

Bill attended Ridge Ranch Elementary School, Eastbrook Junior High, Paramus High School and the Newark College of Engineering where he graduated in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. Upon graduation from college, Bill worked at Burns and Roe in Oradell, New Jersey while he earned his Master's, also in Mechanical Engineering, at NCE. Bill was not all work and no play. His love of softball, ice hockey and Harley Davidsons occupied any and all spare time he could manage.

Bill later moved to New Orleans and then San Francisco where he met his future wife, Diane Marie Clark. They married in 1991 and lived in Clayton, CA. for 27 years. Upon retirement, Bill and Diane discovered the wonders of the Arizona desert and moved to Anthem in 2017 where Bill could pursue his life's true passion in sports, the game of golf. Bill and Diane enjoyed 35 wonderful years together golfing, traveling, entertaining and lately, spoiling their family of canines, Teddy, Winston and Chloe.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Diane, his brothers, Jim (Karen), John (Kathy) and sister Mary, as well as his many friends and extended family members who will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and James Hayes.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 3:00pm at Ironwood Clubhouse in Anthem Golf and Country Club. Burial will take place on April 17, 2026 at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Walnut Creek, California.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Rusty's Angels Sanctuary, "Providing Unconditional love until the end to senior dogs". P.O. Box 7403, Phoenix, AZ 85087. Phone #480-250-0251.