William Ronald Hays
November 9, 2018
A memorial service for Bill Hays, 86 year old Buffalo resident who passed away November 9th at Johnson County Healthcare Center in Buffalo, Wyoming, will be held on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, at 10:00 A.M. at the Story Community Church with his grandsons, Caleb Groteluschen and Drew Hays officiating. The American Legion and VFW will be in charge of military honors. Donations in Mr. Hays’ name may be made to the Wyoming Southern Baptist State Mission Offering in care of the Harness Funeral Home at 351 N. Adams in Buffalo. Online condolences may be made at www.harnessfuneralhome.com
William Ronald Hays was born on February 19, 1932 in Nowata County, Oklahoma to William and Velma Hays.
His father worked in the oil fields and because of this Bill lived in multiple places, graduating from high school in Hobbs, New Mexico. After high school he enlisted in the Navy and served during the Korean War with the SeaBee’s. Just prior to his discharge he married Nelda See in Hobbs, New Mexico, on October 2, 1954. He worked for Philips Petroleum before surrendering to the Ministry in 1958. He began his ministry and college at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, graduating in 1961. In 1971 he graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He had the honor to pastor churches in Texas, completing his ministry in Texas at Paramount Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas. He felt called to pastor in Wyoming and moved to Casper, Wyoming in 1982; working in the oil field and pastoring churches. He and Nelda moved to mission work with the North American Mission Boards of the SBC assisting with churches in northeastern Wyoming until retirement. He was lifetime member of the NRA. In his final years he took great joy in encouraging, praying for, and loving his family.
Bill and Nelda had their first two daughters, Martha and Karan while living in Odessa, Texas, later joined by daughter Ronda in Stanford, Texas, then son, Michael, born in Rotan, Texas.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Nelda; his daughters, Martha Hall, Karan and Michael Wells of Casper, Ronda and Ron Groteluschen of Buffalo; and, son Michael and Shelly Hays, also of Casper; twelve grandchildren, and twenty great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his and Nelda’s parents.
