Bill Hays

Born on November 15, 1941, to Thomas Joseph and Eva Clare Wilson Hays, Bill grew up in Hollandale, Mississippi. He graduated Baylor School of Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1959, and went on to attend The University of Virginia, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1964. While in Charlottesville, he was in the United States Air Force ROTC unit, and upon graduation was commissioned as a second Lieutenant and began his four-year commitment of active duty at Eglin Air Force Base. He received an honorable discharge as Captain in 1968.

Bill took his first job with ESystems in Greenville, Texas. During that time, ESystems had a contract with the German Air Force, so Bill moved his family, then a wife and two young children, to Bitburg, Germany from 1971 to 1973. He always wished to rear his family in his native state of Mississippi, so he jumped at the chance to secure employment with MP&L (now Entergy), where he worked as a quality control officer for Grand Gulf Nuclear Station. He moved from there to Diversified Technology and then joined MTel (parent company of SkyTel and Destineer) as vice president of Emerging Technology. Notable accomplishments included helping secure multiple patents, chiefly one for the first nationwide paging protocol, which led to worldwide messaging and ultimately to two-way messaging, which became the forerunner of many of the cell phone/smartphone functionalities we enjoy today. As a lifelong learner, he enjoyed maintaining his membership in IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), the world’s largest technical professional organization.

From an early age, Bill was insatiably curious. He delighted in taking things apart, putting the laws of physics to the test, discovering the art of the possible, and putting them back together even better than he found them. Many “off” hours were spent fine-tuning his own Mercedes, which he purchased in Germany, and reconstructing computers from discarded parts. The kitchen table was often strewn with capacitors, transistors, and electronic measuring meters. He certainly followed his passion in employment, but he never sought the notoriety for all of his inventions. Perhaps more compelling than his work accomplishments, Bill always sought to bless others not only with his handyman abilities but also with his integrity and kindness. He loved Covenant Presbyterian Church, and spent many joy-filled hours serving as a deacon and elder, with a focused interest on missions. For the last twenty-five of forty years, Bill served as Administrator for Explorers Bible Study, where he and Kathy enjoyed in-depth study of God’s word and fellowship with couples across all denominations.

By far, his favorite hours were spent at home with his family, working in the yard alongside his wife Kathy, trying to outsmart the squirrels and raccoons who constantly raided his birdfeeders in broad daylight. While often employed against their wills on a Saturday morning, his children now look back on those times together with great fondness. In every way, Bill was a loving husband and father, and endeared himself to all who knew him.

Bill is survived by his wife of nearly 59 years, Katherine Brandon Hays; children, William David Hays, jr. (Elizabeth) of Hillsborough, North Carolina, Kathryn Hays Cotten (Reid) of Jackson, Mississippi, and Elizabeth Hays Wood (Britton) of Nashville, Tennessee; brother, James Clay Hays (Margaret) of Jackson, Mississippi; grandchildren, Caroline Elizabeth Cotten, William Reid Cotten (Caitlyn), Colin McClain “Mac” Hays, Ada Catherine Hays, Mary Walton Wood, Shelby Elizabeth Wood, Wilson Hays Cotten, Britton Hays Wood, and Katherine Spears Wood; along with a host of dear nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Thomas Wilson Hays; and two sisters-in-law.

Visitation will be held October 10 at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Mississippi, from 10:30 am til 12:00 pm, followed by a memorial service with Reverend Josh Cole, pastor, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Covenant Presbyterian Church, 4000 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, Mississippi 39211, or to Explorers Bible Study, P.O. Box 425, Dickson, Tennessee 37055.