William Hayden Hayes

1926-2009 GASTONIA - William Hayden Hayes was born in Caldwell County on March 15, 1926, and after suffering a fall, departed peacefully at age 83 on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, in Gaston Memorial Hospital. A native of Granite Falls, he lived and worked across western North Carolina before retiring to Gastonia after a long career in textile management. He was the son of farmer and builder Hilary Parker Hayes and Lorena Hayes. During World War II, Hayes volunteered for the Navy and served as a signal corpsman. His service on the USS Mount Holyoke included postings off Okinawa, the Marshall and Marianas Islands and Inawitak. Returning to Granite Falls High School to complete an English course, he graduated in 1947 with classmate Betty Setzer. In 1951, he earned his bachelor's degree in textiles from N.C. State University, married Betty, and began his textile career with Burlington Industries. After working with several textile companies in the Piedmont, they settled in Gastonia with Robinson Mills. Retiring from Ithaca Industries in 1994, he was well-respected as a fair manager and for designing plant floor layouts as the firm expanded operations. An active member of First Methodist Church of Gastonia, Hayden volunteered with many service organizations. Past president of Gastonia Evening Lions Club, Hayes spearheaded their community sight and hearing programs. He volunteered as an insurance advisor with SHIIP and as a literacy tutor through Gaston Literacy. An avid fisherman for 75 years, he and Betty enjoyed square dancing for decades with the Grand Spinners. They traveled in their retirement, exploring the United States with the Vagabond Travel Club. He is survived by his wife, Betty Setzer Hayes; two sisters, Sue Hayes Kincaid of Charlotte and Pat Hayes Flood of Richmond, Va.; one brother, Tellis Hayes of Hickory; three children, Steven Hayes of Gastonia, Becky Hayes Brown of Mooresville and Sandra Hayes of Waynesville; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Mark Henry Hayes. A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church in downtown Gastonia on Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Jim Westmoreland officiating. Following the service, the family will receive friends in the church Family Life Center. A private family inurnment will be held in the memory garden, where Mr. Hayes will rest beside his son. Arrangements are with Greene Funeral Service, South Chapel, Gastonia. Condolences may be sent to www.greenefuneral.com. A loving and devoted husband, father, uncle and grandfather, Hayden will be remembered for his kind and selfless heart, his humor and optimistic spirit and his faithfulness to his church family and friends. Memorials may be made to First Methodist Church of Gastonia, Unrestricted Funds, P.O. Box 218, Gastonia, N.C. 28053.