Loy Simmons Hayes Jr.

Loy Simmons Hayes Jr. was born on October 3, 1946, in Chickasha, Oklahoma. He passed away on July 8, 2026, at home in Henderson, Nevada, leaving behind a legacy of service, integrity, and devotion to his family and friends.

Loy shared 57 wonderful years of marriage with his beloved wife, Margie Hayes.Together they built a family rooted in love, respect, and support. Loy was immensely proud of his family. He is survived by his five children: Stormy Hayes-Knipe (Chad), Michelle Hughes (Scott), Jonathan Hayes (Tessa), Patrick Hayes (Lili), and Lauren Mensch (Tom).

Papa Loy was a devoted grandfather and is survived by his 12 grandchildren: Zane (Abby) and Lilly Knipe; David (Sarah Grace), Michael (Allison), Christopher (Hinal), Wesley, and Katelyn Hughes; Tristan and Ashlyn Hayes; Piper and Silas Hayes (and their mother Joanna); and Eric Mensch.

Pop Pop was also a proud great-grandfather to Eleanor and Oliver Hughes, and Charlotte and Harrison Hughes. His legacy of love will continue with the arrival of another great granddaughter soon. His steadfast presence, unwavering encouragement, and genuine pride in every member of his family will be remembered for generations.

Loy is also survived by his “favorite sister” Connie Tawney (Terry) and her children and grandchildren, along with his in-laws: Royce Whitley, Charles Whitley (Kim), Mary Williams (Art), and their children and grandchildren.

Loy was preceded in death by his devoted parents, Loy Sr. and Corrine Hayes, his mother-in-law Ruby Whitley, and his brothers-in-law Cloyd Whitley and Royce Hayes.

Following his initial Parkinsonism diagnosis, Loy found encouragement, friendship, and purpose through his Parkinson's support group Rock Steady Boxing. The people he met there and the strength he gained from participating meant a great deal to him and to his family. He also enjoyed being a part of the Woodchips Woodworking Club at the Sun City Anthem Center and the friends he made there.

Loy proudly served his country as a member of the Navy Seabee Reserves for 28 years while also dedicating his career to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, under the Justice Department. After many years of faithful service, he retired from the bureau and then

spent five years with a private company, followed by consulting work. Throughout his careers, he was known for his integrity, quiet strength, steadfast character, and unwavering sense of duty.

From an early age, Loy was a standout athlete. He participated in basketball, football and track in high school and continued his athletic career with football at New Mexico State University. Loy turned his athleticism into coaching some of his children’s soccer

teams. He was a beloved coach to the Springfield, Virginia, boys team Spirit of 76, the Pleasanton, California, girls team Footloose, and the girls Amador Valley High School varsity team.

One of his greatest joys was watching each family member discover and pursue their own passions and enjoyed attending many basketball/football/soccer games, swim/track meets, water polo matches, choir performances, and award ceremonies and

graduations. As his family grew, he continued to be there on the sidelines - cheering on his grandchildren, celebrating their accomplishments, and sharing in the excitement of whatever brought them joy. Loy delighted in seeing each member of his family grow into the person they were meant to be. In recent years, he found great joy in watching his great-grandchildren grow. His legacy lives on through the family he loved and the example he set through a life of faithful service, humility, and unconditional love. He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished by all who knew and loved him.

A memorial for Loy will be held on August 21, 2026, at 12:40pm in the chapel at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 1900 Veterans Drive in Boulder City, Nevada. Donations may be made to help fund research for Corticobasal Degeneration through CurePSP via https://www.psp.org/support-our-pillars by choosing the third pillar, Cure.