William W. 'Bill' Hayes, 71, Fort Dodge, died Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.
He was born March 14, 1954 in Hays, the son of William Duane and Alice Jean (Dennison) Hayes. He graduated from Hays High School in 1972 and received an Associate Degree from Fort Hays State University. Bill served in the U.S. Army from 1972 to 1975. He worked for 10 years as a Sheriff’s Deputy with the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, 18 years with the Department of Corrections in Larned, and 6 years at Larned State Hospital, where he retired in 2011 as a Special Investigator II. Bill was a member of the Hays VFW and Eagles Lodge and he loved playing poker, going to the casino, fishing, and spending time with his family.
Survivors include his two daughters, Megan Orth and husband Jeremy of Englewood, CO and Samantha Sunley and husband Duane of Castle Rock, CO, two brothers, Alan Hayes of Cheyenne, WY and Jason Hayes and wife Christy of Topeka, three sisters, Sharon Wood of Pearland, TX, Pam Haslett and husband Michael of Gardner, and Jan Hayes of Thornton, CO, four grandchildren, Brett, Griffin, and Freya Orth and Colton Minear, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Kim Hayes, and a sister-in-law, Sandy Hayes.
Funeral services and military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will be at 11:00 am on Friday, April 11, 2025 at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 9:30 am until service time at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Wounded Warrior Project. Condolences and memories of Bill may be shared with his family at www.haysmemorial.com