William Hayes

August 22, 1924 - January 24, 2011

William Lofton Hayes was born in Henry County, Georgia as the fourth of five children to George Howard and Annie Pearl Hayes. He was preceded in death by his wife Audie Smith Hayes of 58 years and by 2 sisters and 1 brother. Lofton was a machinist by trade and belonged to the International Aerospace and Machinists Union for 50 years. He worked for the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) for 35 years and retired from there in 1984. He was a member of Davis Chapel Baptist Church and later Grace Community Church when he and Audie moved to Bluffton SC to be near children and grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, coin collecting, eating at his favorite restaurants, and working in his yard with a small garden. PaPa loved to eat Southern cooking. Some of his favorites were cracklin cornbread and boiled peanuts. He loved and adored his grandchildren: Daniel and Timothy Hall, Laura and Michael Talley. He was thrilled with the addition of Great granddaughter Audrey Elizabeth Talley- his beloved wife's namesake. Papa could be counted to do the right thing, fix anything, know how to garden, tell a good joke and buy icees for his grandchildren at the local Milk Jug drive thru. His children and grandchildren would like to say "Thank you for the legacy of faith and family. Thank you for living a consistent life before us. We were always confident that you were a man who could be trusted." Lofton was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Audie Smith Hayes; two sisters; and one brother. Survivors include his daughter, Diane and husband Marvin Hall; son, Dennis Hayes; granddaughter, Laura and husband Michael Talley; grandson, Daniel Hall and Timothy Hall; great granddaughter, Audrey Talley; and sister, Jean Vining. The family will receive friends between 5:00pm-7:00pm Friday, January 28, 2011 at Gene Davis-White Columns Chapel in Mableton. A funeral service will be held Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 11:00am in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at Mount Harmony Memorial Gardens.