William David Hays

William David "Dave" Hays, 86, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, died unexpectedly Christmas Eve, December 24, 2023, with his family by his side.
Dave was born July 16, 1937, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Roy and Lola Matthews Hays and was a proud graduate of Hot Springs High School.
Dave had so many loves (at the top was his family), but nearly all of them involved guitars, log houses, antiques, and automobiles. Most of the jobs he had during his lifetime involved an automobile. He did everything from delivering auto parts, partner in a Toyota dealership, to auto damage appraiser/adjuster for USAA. He loved telling stories of how he and his sons raced motorcycles, and he would probably tell you some of those stories every single time you saw him. He knew he had already told you, but he still told you again, because he loved that time so much. He loved his four children with a love that was palpable. He was so proud of every single one of them. He bought some property in the middle of a national forest in Montgomery County, Arkansas, and began building a one-room log cabin for him and his sons to enjoy while hunting small game such as rabbits and squirrels. He was an outstanding craftsman. The cabin ended up a rather large house. He was so very proud of that accomplishment, and you also heard the story about his building that almost every time you talked to him. He also built remote-controlled model airplanes and was a member of Hot Springs RC Flying Club. He was a member of Hot Springs Cruisers. He wanted a fancy car like his friends Wade or Jim but settled for his Miata roadster. He was a member of the Spa City Blues Society and enjoyed playing at the jam sessions at the various clubs in Hot Springs.
He first married Nancy Wibel in 1957, and they were the parents of four children: David "Dave," Stephen "Steve," Nancy "Suzanne," and Gary. Nancy and Dave divorced in 1983, and he married Patti Vance Denison June 1984 after only a two-and-a-half month "courtship." That marriage was as perfect as a marriage could possibly have been. They loved and respected each other equally which doesn't happen often. He then had two bonus daughters, Denise and Lauri, whom he helped raise as they were only 12 and almost 10. After the death of his stepdaughter Denise, he and Patti proudly raised Denise's daughter Olivia Lauren "Libby" Rosenthal. How he loved her! You could just see it in his eyes.
Dave was predeceased by his parents, son Steve Hays, and stepdaughter Denise Denison. He is survived by his wife Patti; brother, Phillip Hays; son Dave Hays (Sherry), daughter-in-law Susan Strickland Hays, daughter Suzanne Hays Massa, son Gary Hays, and stepdaughter Lauri Denison; grandchildren Jade Harrison (Jeremy), Brandy Hays-Foret (Joey), Amber Kochen, Austin Massa, Natalie Massa, and Christopher Hays (Jessica); step-grandchildren Libby Rosenthal and Andrew "Drew" McAdory; and step-grandchildren Amanda Strickland Thompson (Justin), Bruce Strickland (Kristi); nine great-grandchildren; and six step-great-grandchildren; his wild and crazy fur baby Zoe Penelope; many friends, most notably Wade Spainhour and Bobby Maddox since elementary school.
There will be no services at this time per his wishes. In his honor, please make a donation to your favorite charity or go hug your grandpa.