Wilfred L. Hayes

Wilfred L. Hayes, (Willie or Will, to his friends), passed away on June 16, 2021 in Bellingham, Washington at the age of 89. Will was born on September 8, 1931 in Bellingham, Washington to Earl and Marjorie (Hicks) Hayes. On October 29, 1953 he married the love of his life, Doris (Johnson) Hayes, and they would be inseparable till the very end. Will also served in the U.S. Navy and was very proud of those years. Willie worked all sorts of interesting jobs in his lifetime. He was an oil truck driver, then briefly worked as a Whatcom County jailor, and later owned his own business: “Hayes Furnace Cleaning”, which was his pride and joy. He grew up hunting and fishing whenever he could. He loved camping and clam digging and mushroom hunting – any excuse to spend time outdoors with friends and family. When the kids were young, Will bought a nice piece of property in Concrete, Washington, and everyone loved having their own “private campground” to enjoy every weekend. Later on, Will could always be found working in his shop or puttering around the yard. He was always working on some sort of project. More than anything, Willie loved people. There was nothing better than a big family get-together, especially birthday parties. How he loved birthdays! He was always telling stories, reminiscing, laughing, and truly enjoying time together. He liked everyone he met and made friends wherever he went. Will was kind, outgoing, and content, and he was so proud of what he had built for his family. Will is survived by his wife of 67 years, Doris Hayes, his children Cynthia “Cindy” Hayes (Greg), Michael Hayes, and Jodie Gage, seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews who all called him their Uncle Willie. He is preceded in death by father Earl Hayes, mother Marjorie Hayes Burr, and brothers Donald Hayes and Pete “Nelson” Hayes. A memorial service with military funeral honors will be held on Wednesday September 8, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Greenacres Memorial Park Chapel (5700 Northwest Dr. Ferndale, WA), with a reception following. Please share your memories of Will in his online guestbook.

Wilfred L. Hayes

September 8, 1931 - June 16, 2021