William A. "Bill" Hayes

HARWICH - William A. ''Bill” Hayes, a retired GE manager, passed away May 20, 2007, of complications of an extended illness. He was 78.

He was married for 52 years to Irma (Potenski) Hayes.

Mr. Hayes retired from the General Electric Co. in 1988 after 41 years of service. He managed Apparatus Service Shops in Syracuse, N.Y., and Medford. He spent more than 30 years in the apparatus service business and the past eight years in GE's Nuclear Plant Services Department. He established new service shops in Syracuse, N.Y., Springfield and Pittsfield, Maine.

Born in Philadelphia, he was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the Army Signal Corps as a cryptographer in the 71st Signal Service Battalion, based in Tokyo, Japan.

During his years in Wakefield, he was active in the Little League baseball organization, serving as player agent and coach.

Mr. Hayes was a member of the Knights of Columbus, a past grand knight in Syracuse, N.Y., and a fourth-degree knight. He was an active volunteer at the Family Pantry in North Harwich and served as the corporation secretary, director and team leader coordinator.

He was a member of the Holy Trinity Church in West Harwich, where he served as a lector.

He is survived by his loving wife, Irma; two sons, William A. Jr. of Stetson, Maine, and Joseph W. of Middleton; a daughter, Regina Patricia Andler of Salem, N.H.; three sisters, Mary, Christine and Margaret; two brothers, John and Joseph; brother-in-law, Gene Hagan; and sister-in-law, Patricia. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

There will be a funeral Mass on Thursday, May 24, at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church, West Harwich, with burial in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, at 2 p.m.

Visiting hours are 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23, at the Doane, Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 260 Main St., West Harwich.

Memorial donations may be made to the Family Pantry, 133 Queen Anne Road, Harwich, MA 02645.