Hayden was a good friend and brother in more ways than just sports! I remember him with a great fondness and remembrance of things he did and said! He was unique, funny, sincere, tough and serious! 


I remember Hayden Hays.  He was a well respected man.
Ron Dundore - Commerce High School Class of 1967

Coach Hays taught me High School history in 1965. My brother was sick and died.He met my mother and brother in the hospital when he had an appendectomy. I failed the history final and he let me take it over. Same questions! I passed! He was a handsome man and compassonite.  RIP Coach😢❤️

Brenda, Melanye, and Justin, Randall and I were so sad to hear about Hayden's death.   He was a good friend for a lot of years.   We are sorry we did not know the arrangements for the memorial service as we would like to have attended.   We are here for you if there is anything we can do for any of you.   We will keep each of you in our prayers in the coming days and our sympathy goes out to your family.

Charlotte & Randall

I was lucky to know Hayden first as a football coach in Commerce, Ga, but mostly as a friend and life insurance agent when I lived in Greenville.  He was a class act and lots of fun to share memories with him whenever we got together.

  I am grateful that I had the opportunity to work closely with Hayden over the last 10 years.  I thought I was an insurance professional, but Hayden taught me important lessons about insurance, people, and life.  We became good friends.  Despite physical afflictions, Hayden was always thinking about what he could do for others.  I witnessed it daily.  I also saw the love he has for his family and, even though I have never met most of them, I feel like I know them all from hours of conversation with Hayden.  I understand the emptiness they must all feel right now.  I am comforted in knowing that his voice is now clear, his legs are now strong, and he can feel the wind blowing in his face as he runs.

Love to the family,

Peter Kelsey

Bill Roberts and I (with Roberts, Curry and Company), were next door neighbors to Hayden's office on Williams Street. He handled some of our insurance needs, and in doing so, became a friend. A great neighbor, always accommodating when resolving  issues involving the alley between our offices. On a personal note, after I came of senior age, he helped me achieve Emeritus status at the Poinsett Club. Thanks for knowing him. Godspeed to his family.  Charles Curry

Being in the Insurance profession I found Hayden to be an honest professional. Although  we did very few buisenss deals I always found him a great competitor. Just wish I had had more dealing with him. REST IN PEACE!

Hayden was a good friend, insurance guru, and fellow Poinsett Club member introduced to me years ago by my friend, Tom Thompson.  He was so helpful in establishing all my insurance needs, and I enjoyed hearing about all the Furman Days from Tom and Hayden.  Quite some good memories.
He will be missed greatly, and my prayers and sympathy go out to the entire family.

Hayes family,

I am so sorry to hear about Hayden's passing. He was an early worshiper at Triune and a wonderful supporter. I will always appreciate that.  

Although I haven't seen Hayden since the 70's, I have many fond memories of our days at Furman and the "carpooling" to Atlanta.  My condolences to the family - he will be missed.

Hayden, we love and will miss you very much! Always quietly pleasant and forceful! Godspeed!

Thomas and Karen Mims

 I have known Hayden since the sixty’s when he and Doug played football at Furman together.  As time passed, seeing him at reunions, homecoming or other special events, Hayden always reached out as a friend and it was like old times picking up where we left off so many years ago.  He was always one of my favorites.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this sad time.  
The picture is one taken at the 2017 Wofford game.

Hayden was one of the most unique football players to ever "pull on" a Purple jersey! When we came to Furman, he was one of several Georgians on the Freshman Team! Hayden on the field and in pads was always 100% wide open.   He was the same off the field, with his friends! He was always totally committed! His story at Furman was a good one! In a game when he had given or received several head-on blocking collisions with the opposition, Hayden became the "Hartwell Hit Man"! There was no fear in him,  only total aggressiveness on the field, sometimes even after the play was blown dead by the game officials! Hence the nickname "Warpy"!!!I was always glad that he was on our side! Outside of football in friendship or fraternity, Hayden was always someone you could depend on no matter the situation! He will always be remembered and missed! My sincere condolence to his family and loved ones.

I’m deeply saddened of the lost of Hayden He was a good friend that also taught me to run marathons. He would always call me on two occasions. After a race. “What was your time”. And if I missed church. “Where were you “. I will miss him and those calls. My prayers for the family 



So sorry to hear this news. Have many good memories of Hayden from the time we lived in Richmond Hills to the time he and I ran New York City marathon in 1993.  I'll never forget how mad he was when I left him at 10 miles. While we didn't see each other very often, when we did it was just like yesterday. Will miss him greatly.

Hayden was a good guy and a fine fraternity brother.  We had many a good laughs during the Furman experience.  He was a good athlete and had kind words for most.  He'll be missed but not forgotten.  Rest in peace Warpie...

We will miss Hayden. I had the privilege of calling him a friend, a fraternity brother, and a fellow football teammate. Hayden was a most interesting man. He had a great sense of humor and was a wonderful confidant. The world was a better place due in part to Hayden.

A lifetime of memories fill my head & heart. A teammate in football, a fraternity Brother in KA,  room mates our senior year, most of all a dear friend for almost 60 years of our lives. I'll miss our crazy talks & times. My prayers are with the family. Rest with God in his kingdom, "Roomie".

It was my pleasure to know Hayden Hays throughout his entire college career.  As I commence my educational experience at Furman University in 1961, I had the pleasure of playing the same position which Hayden played for three years.  He was always a strong, but kind opponent and we continued our friendship not only through Furman University, but for many years thereafter.  Hayden was a strong, caring, loving individual who would walk massive distances just to say hello and to renew his continuing friendship.  I will miss seeing him greatly in and around the Furman campus and in the Greenville area.  May God bless and watch over Hayden and his family through this very delicate time.

My friendship started with Hayden 51 years ago when I was a skinny track guy at Furman.
I hung around the gym before track practice and I would run into Hayden often.  Being a
football coach and sort of quiet, he would never speak to me.  He just nodded his head.
I always said, Hey Coach Hayes. Finally one day, I just walked by him and nodded my head. From that point on we became friends. In fact, I am sure that he picked up running because of me. We were part of the Greenville Track Club, The Bare Minimum Track Club, and we ran several races together.

For years our club met at the Library at 6 am Sunday mornings and run  10 miles or more.
I usually put water out at the fan shop across from BJU where we would take a few minutes
to rest.  Any members reading this probably remember going to their church of choice and
still not quite cooled down from our morning run.

One day Hayden  had a T-Shirt on that to me looked like a TV Test Pattern--They used to have those years back--(In case of an emergency....)  Anyway Hayden was always concentrating and focusing on the run, and as usual didn't say much.  So I started calling him "TV Hayes." One day the Bagnwan of the BMTC moved to Charleston, and club sort of fell apart.  Rumor has it that some members still meet at the library at 6 am for a run. I wonder if they still run 10 miles.  We ran and had a  lot of laughs both during these runs and at road races.

I remember running  several  Peachtree Road Races with Hayden. We even ran the race the year before his stroke. After his stoke, I remember how dedicated Billy Turner, Sam Wyche and his other friends were during his recuperation.  I visited Hayden one day when he was at the Rehab Center. I wore a Gorilla Mask just to mess with him.  I came in the room and told him that I wanted a kiss.  He sat up pulled back his arm into a fist and asked who I was.  I didn't have any idea he could use one side of his body.  I will miss Hayden.



Haden's nickname among his frat brothers and football players was "Warpy."  He was a fine player and excellent brother.  He always had a kind word for everyone.  

My best to all his family.

Jerry Thomas
Brother and Football Player 

OBITUARY

Arthur Hayden Hays

April 11, 1942 – July 18, 2018

Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Century Drive

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