Reverend Dr. William "Bill" Hay

Reverend Dr. William G Hay “Bill” entered the gates of Heaven, February 11, 2024 while surrounded by family sharing their love for him and singing his favorite Gospel songs. We rejoice because he is living the eternal life with our Lord and Savior; an eternity that he dedicated his life to share with so many!

Bill was born on May 1, 1940, in Duluth, Minnesota to the late William Walter Hay and Dorothy Mamie Gifford. He is also proceeded by his sister Elizabeth Hay Carlson and brother in-law James Carlson. While living in Duluth, Bill was an active member in First Presbyterian Church, where he met and married his wife, Cynthia Hagman Hay. Bill graduated from Duluth East High School, and received degrees from the University of Minnesota, Columbia Seminary in Atlanta, GA., Samford University in Homewood, AL, and completed his education with a Doctorate from Trinity Seminary in Chicago, IL.

Bill served in the Air National Guard (with periods of active duty) until he took his first fulltime job as a Minister. Bill served as a pastor in Homewood, Alabama for 45 years. After graduating from Seminary in 1966, he moved to Birmingham to pastor at Edgewood Presbyterian Church. In 1978 he was led to sign the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, alongside leaders in the faith, like R.C. Sproul, Francis Schaeffer, and J.I. Packer. That same year God called him to start a new Church in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) Denomination, and became the Founding Pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Homewood, AL. After 33 years of dedication to his congregation, Bill retired and preached his last sermon as Covenant’s Senior Pastor on August 28, 2011. Bill deeply loved his congregation, and it was not uncommon to hear him speak of that love from the pulpit.

Bill’s dedication to share God’s word extended far beyond the walls of the church. His passion for sharing Jesus with the world was always at his core. He co-founded Birmingham Theological Seminary where he taught courses and remained on the Board of Directors until his passing. He was the first Director of the UP Integrated Summer Camp, led countless mission trips, served on committees, boards and/or supported local ministries like Sav-a-life, Love Lady Foundation, Grace House Ministries, Discovery Clubs, Restoration Academy, and many more. With a heart for Global Missions, Bill committed more than a decade of his time on the board at Missions to the World and Novo/Church Resource Ministries and Bill always encouraged people to consider how they could serve in missions locally and abroad.

He supported two of Covenant’s staff members to plant PCA churches in Birmingham, Al, Cross Creek Church and Cahaba Park Church (both of which are daughter churches of Covenant) and facilitated the development of a PCA Church in Houston, Texas. His desire to plant and grow churches extended to Eastern Europe and to South America where he and his wife Cyndie served as a PCA pastoral couple to Chilean Missionaries and Pastors.

Bill was truly an instrumental vessel for God and faithfully served the Lord. Because of his life, a multitude of thousands of people know Jesus and will spend eternal life in heaven.

He will be deeply missed by his wife of 58 years, Cynthia Hagman Hay, sons John (Heather) Hay, Philip (Jennifer) Hay, daughter Becky (Richie) Hamer, grandchildren, Marjorie, Kathryn, Olivia, Anna Grace, John, Elle, Max, Brianna, CJ, Mack, Lily, Colby, and all who knew and loved him!

On February 20, 2024 at 2:30 in the afternoon we will celebrate his life and a life well lived at Covenant Presbyterian Church located at 65 Old Montgomery Hwy, Homewood, Al 35209.

Services are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel (205-879-3401) in Homewood.