Billy Hays

William Richard “Billy” Hays, 75, of Columbus, went quietly and peacefully to be with his Lord on Friday, December 29, 2023. He lived courageously for ten and a half years as a stroke survivor.
Visitation will be held Sunday, December 31 st , from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home, 716 2nd Ave. North, Columbus. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Cemetery, Millport, Alabama, with Dr. Robert Penny officiating.

Billy was born on June 7, 1948, in Columbus, Mississippi, to Kelly C. Hays and Eula Mae Watson Hays. He was baptized at New Salem Baptist Church, where he was a member for many years before joining First Baptist Church of Columbus.
He was a graduate of Caledonia High School and East Mississippi Community College and attended Mississippi State University.
Billy married Rosemary Jones Hays on August 8, 1970, a marriage of love and commitment that lasted over fifty-three years. He worked with Farm Bureau Insurance and Galloway Chandler McKinney Insurance as an agent. He owned and enjoyed his family farm in Caledonia and appreciated all aspects of agriculture, especially horses and cattle. He was happiest spending time with family and “crop checking,” especially with Howard Fisackerly.

Billy is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Jerry A. Hays and K.C. Hays. He is survived by his faithful wife, Rosemary Jones Hays, and his children Mary Katharine Hays Bullard (Kevin) and Patrick Austin Hays (Analissa). He is also a proud Papa to six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Bullard, William Edward “Web” Bullard, Max Watson, Tommy Vaughn, and Tommy Clegg. Honorary Pallbearers will be Danner Kiernan, Matt Vidican, Don Gilmer, Tommy Spruill, Larry Rainey, Joe Stewart, and the Gatewood Sunday School Class.

A special thanks goes out from the family to Connie Jones, Victoria Penny, Kay Vaughn, Denise Strong, Tamara Davis, Thelma Thomas, and the doctors and nurses of Golden Triangle Baptist Memorial Hospital for their love and care. In lieu of flowers, we ask that any memorials or gifts in his honor be directed to Special Olympics.