Ralph William Hays

Ralph William Hays, 95, of Overland Park, KS passed away September 6, 2022. He was born January 3, 1927 on the Hays Farm in Stilwell, KS to Howard and Edith (Smith) Hays, the only boy to three older sisters. He attended the Woodland Grade School in Aubrey Township and later attended and graduated from Stilwell High School.

He enlisted into the U.S. Navy in 1944, serving as Fireman 1st Class, traveling on ship U.S.S. ROI-CVE #103 to China, Ten Sin, San Francisco, Hawaii, Guam, and The Panama Canal. He officially discharged in 1946. While taking a trip with a friend to Crane, MO, he met a pretty, shy brown-eyed girl named, Marilyn Seitz. Returning to Stilwell and keeping the US Postal Service gainfully employed by the exchange of many letters between the two, Ralph was joined in marriage to E. Marilyn Seitz on February 22, 1952 in Crane, MO and to this union three children were born: Robin, Lisa and Scot.

Ralph worked for Kansas City Power & Light as their Lead Tree Trimmer, retiring in 1992 after 44 years of service. He loved KU Basketball and baseball. He would listen on the radio to the minor league team, The Kansas City Blues. He wanted to be a professional baseball player, but he would often say he couldn’t hit, throw or run; so that eliminated him from trying out. He would often go to the Royals games with his sister, Nellie, another avid fan.

Ralph was preceded in death by his three sisters, June McCallum, Lois Farris and Nellie Jane Whitton; and daughter, Lisa Voorhies.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Marilyn; children, Robin Erwin (Jim) of Harrisonville, MO and Scot Hays (Melody) of Wichita, KS; 7 grandchildren, Jennifer Hester, Eric Brunk (Jaclyn), Craig Brunk, Joshua Voorhies, Jacob Voorhies (Jennifer), Amanda Ruby (Eric) and Kori Hays; and 11 great grandchildren, Ty Rustici, Gianna Rustici, Brandon Hester, Landon Brunk, Preston Brunk, Ethan Brunk, Elisa Brunk, Savannah Voorhies, Isiah Voorhies, Izabella Voorhies and Scarlett Voorhies.

Ralph’s memorial visitation will be held 5-7pm, Friday, September 16 at the McGilley & Hoge Chapel with US Navy Honors to begin the visitation.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in his memory to Great Plains SPCA, Attn: Development, 5428 Antioch Drive, Merriam, KS 66202 or online at https://greatplainsspca.salsalabs.org/memorials/index.html

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleyhoge.com for the Hays family.