William Kenneth Hays Sr.Flintstone, GA

William Kenneth Hays, Sr., also known as “Ken”, passed away on Monday, May 22, 2023, at the age of 87 in his hometown of Flintstone, Georgia. He was born on November 16, 1935 to the late Olin Lee Hays, Sr. and Gladys Gilbert Hays and was a lifelong resident of the North Georgia area. Ken was a graduate of Chattanooga Valley High School, Class of 1953 and after graduation, Ken attended business school in Atlanta where he met his wife, Dot. Ken was a member of McFarland United Methodist Church and had a successful career of 28 years with Kayo Oil Company/Conoco Oil. After early retirement, he and his wife Dot, started their own business, Hays Framing, Inc., which they ran together for more than 28 years. In his free time, he loved watching his grandchildren play ball, spending time with his family and friends, UTC Athletics, gardening and fishing. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend that will be truly missed by all who knew him. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Mary Francis Hays Walker and his brothers, Morgan C. Hays and Olin Lee Hays, Jr.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of more than 66 years, Dorothy Reagin Hays; children, William Kenneth Hays, Jr. & (Kitty), Gary Reagin Hays, Jeffrey Lee Hays & (Nancy); grandchildren, Tyson Patrick Hays & (Faerlie), William Edward Hays, Ashley Tannahill & (Daniel), Eric Matthew Hays & (Kelsie) and Braden Patrick Hays & (Catherine) and numerous extended family & friends.

Funeral services will be held at 7:00 p.m., Friday, May 26, 2023 in the Fort Oglethorpe Chapel with Pastor Wayne Cook officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 ~ 7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 27, 2023 in the Lookout Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to McFarland United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 156, Rossville, Georgia 30741, or to the UTC Mocs Club, 615 McCallie Avenue, Dept. 3503, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403.