10/09/2026
In loving memory of William Clifton "Stick" Hayes of the Beacon community in Darden, Tennessee. It is with great sadness that we bid an earthly Farwell to William.
William was the fourth son of the Late Charles F. "Charlie" Hayes & Pauline (McPeake) Hayes. Born 14 May 1954, he was welcomed into the world by his parents, Charlie & Pauline, his eldest brother, Billy Hayes, his middle brother, Thomas Hayes, his youngest brother Robert "Mac" Hayes and his paternal Grandmother Nancy Hayes.
He was raised on the family farm where he helped raise beef cattle, dairy cattle, hogs and chickens.
He adored his "Ma" Hayes who helped raised him as his parents worked at Slant & Slant. Since he was a sickly child Ma Hayes took extra special care of her Precious Grandson.
He was educated in Decatur County. He was a graduate of Riverside High School's Class of 1973. After High school he attended one semester at Jackson State Community College. During which time he decided becoming a veterinarian wasn't worth attended 6 more years of school, especially since he didn't like school that much to begin with.
He held several jobs over the years, farmer, factory worker, truck driver, school bus driver, security guard & business owner. He started working at Slant & Slant while he was still in high school. After graduation he started driving a gravel truck for Doug Hayes. From there he went to the River & started hauling asphalt for Koch Asphalt. He enjoyed eating breakfast with Ned Ray McWherter when he was hauling asphalt to Weakly County. Then he went to TVA for the for the union's better wages, better benefits and Retirement plan to benefit himself and his growing family. After several years with TVA he decided he needed to be closer to home to help care for his aging parents. So, he bought the Saw Shop at Beacon Junction from Elco Hendrix. He worked as a Decatur County bus driver. He worked part-time for Murray Gauard too. He also raised bottle calves, going to Florida, Mississippi & Various locations in Tennessee to bring home new bottle babies. After about ten years he took on a partner, Jim Conrad. Together they decided to expand their business. They moved from Beacon Jct, and purchased land near the Decatur County Fair Grounds. There they built C & H Home & Farm Supply. They brought Charles Borron, their small engine mechanic, with them. Later William sold his part of the business and went back to trucking. He drove for Milan Express & Another company out of Jackson. He finally got a union job with Yellow Freight out of Nashville, Tennessee. He worked there until he retired in 2016. After he retired from Yellow Freight/Roadway, he worked locally filling in at Graves & Graves, Ted Reins Farm Supply, various independent Farmers & other individuals in the area. Finally in about 2024, his physical health prevented him from driving anymore. He missed it. He'd always enjoyed driving a truck, the people & places. He never met a stranger wherever his travels took him.
He met his wife Martha Gail in 1977 on a blind date with Harold Tubbs and Donna Dennison. After a fifteen month courtship they were married by the Darden Baptist Church Preacher, Cletus Duke, in the Sardis United Methodist Church. To that union were born 3 beautiful children. The eldest was a daughter who was named Elisabeth Anne Hayes, after Elisabeth, mother of John the Baptist, in the Bible. Anne because her momma thought it went perfect with the name Elisabeth. Next came a son. William named him Joe Willam after his material Grandfather Joseph "Joe" McPeake of the Rock Hill Community near Lexington, Henderson County, Tennessee and William's Mother, Pauline Hayes, named him William after his Dad. A few years later William became the Dad of Luke Edward Hayes. Luke being the namesake of his late Grandfather, L.E. Bingham & his grandfather's Best friend, Edward Mitchell, both of Sardis, Tennessee.
God Blessed William in many ways during his lifetime, a Grandmother who adored him, two loving parents, three kind, honorable brothers. He was a 50+ year Mason. He didn't Get the chance to go as often as he'd liked since he worked away from home for many years. He was a Deacon at Darden Baptist Church, which he was very proud of. Working away from home so much meant not getting to attend church on a regular basis. He eventually gave up his Deaconship. He watched his children grow up and make their own lives. Elisabeth (Parsons, Tennessee) gave William his first and only granddaughter, Sydney, his Pumpkin. Joe went to the US Air Force after leaving MTSU before completing his degree. Joe recently retired from the military, degree in hand. Joe & Sarah (Austin, Arkansas) gave William his first and only Grandson, Jackson, Jackson shares his middle name with his late paternal great grandfather, (William's Dad) Charles Finley. William's youngest son, Luke (Parsons, Tennessee), is a Welder in Lexington, Tennessee. William had a beloved pet dog named Taz. Taz spent many wonderfully happy years following William around the farm on the tractor and riding in the back of William's pickup truck. William enjoyed the occasional anniversary trip to Tunica. He also enjoyed family trips to San Antonio, TX, Pensacola, FL, Biloxi, MS & New Orleans, LA. William also enjoyed Day trips & Weekend getaways to family gatherings or just to visit seldom seen family. We often talked about going to Germany to visit his oldest brother, but we just never seemed to find the right time. When William reached 62 he decided he'd had enough of over-the-road trucking. He said it had become too dangerous. So began the next phase of his life, retirement. He picked up odd jobs working for different people & companies near his home. William's wife brought home a little bobtail kitten 3+ years ago. William named him Bobbi. Bobbi slept with William every night & they were best buds. William's health began to decline several months ago. He stayed close to home & was no longer able to get up and go to work. He continued his 4am routine of getting up, getting coffee and going to town for more coffee, a biscuit, and conversation as long as his health allowed him to. William loved being around people. He thrived on it. He'd come home excited after seeing this one or that one and excitedly tell his wife about those conversations. The conversations are over now. He's moved on. There are no more photo opts. No more family gathering. No more cookouts and fish fries. No more class reunions. No more birthday parties. No more Thanksgiving Dinners. No more Christmas
Holidays. No more Football games. No more graduations. No more milestones to celebrate. 💔
I can just hear his Momma now, Shouting & praising God when her youngest son, William, entered through those Pearly Gates. He's home now! They're having a family gathering the likes of which have never been seen on this side of Heaven since Jesus Christ, himself, arose from the dead.
He's there, in Heaven, with his paternal Grandparents, John & Nancy Hayes, his maternal Grandparents, Joe & Nancy McPeake, his brother's Billy, Thomas & Thomas's wife Peggy, a host of cousins, especially Jim & Fran, Robinson, Larry, David & Danny Box, Fannie & Lorraine Crawford and several of their children, Tater Hayes, all his Aunts & Uncles all of whom he often spoke of, sharing fond & happy memories of time spent with them, his Father & Mother-in-law, L. E. & Irene (Stribling) Bingham
his brother-in-law Johnny Bingham and his wife, Debbie Bingham & their son Jonathan, his sister-in-law Sandy Bingham, his brother-in-law Buel Cox, Jr., and his beloved Taz and a lifetime of other cherished pets.
Sadly, he leaves behind his spouse of over 48 years, Martha Gail, his daughter, Elisabeth, his sons Joe (Sarah) & Luke (Alisha), his Daughter-in-law Sarah, Luke's girlfriend Alisha, his Pumpkin, Sydney, his Grandson, Jackson, his nieces, nephews & cousins, and his favorite napping buddy, Bobbi & his other napping buddies Jasper and Killer who will all miss him greatly and mourn his passing.
The angels came to William's earthly home on 7 October 2026 to es**rt William to his Heavenly home.
We will miss you, William, as long as God gives us breath. 💔
The family request you write down a memory you have of William and bring as a gift to the family.
Visitation for Mr. Hayes will be held on Friday October 9, 2026, from 6:00PM until 8:00PM. Visitation will continue on Saturday October 10, 2026, from 9:00AM until 9:00PM. Visitation will continue on Sunday October 11, 2026 from 11:00AM until time of funeral services. All visitation will be held at Parsons Mortuary. Funeral services will be held on Sunday October 11, 2026, at 2:00PM in the Parsons Mortuary Chapel with burial to follow in the Dukes Cemetery in Darden, TN.
