Harold Bays

Harold D. Bays BRISTOL, Va. Harold D. Bays, age 85, passed away on Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at Wellmont Hospice House. He was born Feb. 5, 1925, in Benhams, Va., a son of the late Van Bays and Ora Stapleton Bays, and had spent his life in the Bristol area. He was the former owner and operator of Bays and Benhams Bus Lines and retired from Raytheon after over 29 years of service. Harold was a member of Fellowship Chapel Church and was a former deacon. He was a 1943 graduate of Valley Institute High School, where he was a member of the basketball team and played the position of center. After graduation from high school, he was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II, where he served in the European Theater. He saw combat action in the Battle of the Bulge, where he participated on the right flank of the operation. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Helbert Bays; two sisters, Minnie Bays Smith, Helen Bays; five brothers, W.T., Robert, Garnett, Kenneth, and Edward; and daughter-in-law, Betty Hart Bays. Survivors: sons, Phil Bays and wife Brenda, Randy Bays, Larry Bays, Barry Bays and wife Renee; seven grandchildren, Bradley Bays, Lindsey Cuddy, Lauren Thelen, Chad Bays, Blaine Bays, Wesley Bays, and Rachel Bays; four great- grandchildren, Audreyanna, Regan, Leah, Avery; sister, Audrey Butcher and husband Chuck; brother, Carnell Bays and wife Lizzie; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 4, 2010, at Fellowship Chapel with Rev. Brian Hall and Rev. Benny Bowman officiating. Honorary pastors will be Rev. Scott Price and Rev. Lester McKinnon. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 at Fellowship Chapel prior to the service. Entombment will be in Mountain View Cemetery Mausoleum at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 5, 2010. Pallbearers will be Jerry Dunn, Richard Arnold, Junior Bowman, Rick Patrick, Wayne Fleenor, Harold Wells, Wayne Rush, and Claude Roark. Military honors will be conducted by DAV Chapter 40 of Bristol Virginia. Online condolences may be registered at www.Weaverfuneralhome.net Weaver Funeral Home and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.