ASHMORE, IL --- James W. Hays, Sr., age 69 of Ashmore, passed away at 4:26 PM, Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at Charleston Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Charleston. A graveside funeral service will be held at 12:00 Noon on Monday, January 18, 2010 at Ashmore Cemetery. Reverend Tom Skinner will officiate, with military rites conducted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Sgt. C. W. Clement Post 3637 Oakland, Illinois and American Legion Robert Willoughby Post 977 Brocton, Illinois. Visitation with the family will be from 10:00 to 11:30 AM, Monday at Standard Funeral Home in Oakland. James Willard Hayes, Sr. was born on January 15, 1940 in Austin, Texas, the only child of Willard Lee and Annie Mae Humphrey Hays. He was raised in Austin, Texas, and attended Metz School. On August 22, 1956 he entered the United States Army, where he served until August 21, 1965. On August 6, 1963 he married Patricia Margaret McCauley in Charleston, and she preceded him in death on March 17, 2006. He had previously been married to Mildred Louise Knapp on June 2, 1959 in Austin, Texas. Survivors include two sons, Lee Conover of Charleston, and James W. Hays, Jr. and wife Peggy of Shelbyville, TN; seven daughters, Tereasa Bennett of Charleston, Christine Jett of Charleston, Patti Jipsen and husband Bryce of Emerson, IA, Julie Gadeberg and fiancé Larry Hunter of Charleston, Barbara Irwin and husband Michael of Charleston, Deborah Edwards and husband Archie of Charleston, and Jamie Thomas and husband Ray of Red Oak, IA; one daughter-in-law, Dana Conover of Charleston; twenty-six grandchildren, two of whom were raised by James, Joshua Garvin and fiancé Kay of Charleston, and Scott Eggleston of Red Oak, IA; forty great-grandchildren; dear sister-in-law, Mary Howard; and special friends Faye Greene, Kenneth Cardwell, Logan Siverley, and the staff at Charleston Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. He was preceded in death by his wife, one son, one grandson, one granddaughter, and one great-granddaughter. James was a truck driver at Ron Smith Trucking in Arcola. He was also a full-time father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He enjoyed fishing, dancing, and music. A memorial fund is being established at Standard Funeral Home in Oakland to assist with funeral expenses.
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