William Robert Hayes, Jr.

William Robert Hayes, Jr. (Bobby) passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on Wednesday, July 18, at approximately 11:11 a.m., after a relatively brief, but heroic battle with pancreatic cancer. He is preceded in death by his parents Margie Cheatham and Bill Hayes and one daughter, Stephanie Lynn Hayes. He is survived by his wife Stacey Hayes, his sister Peggy Hayes, his daughter Jennifer Malone and her husband Sean along with his daughter Joanna Duke and her husband Brett. Between his three daughters, he had six grandchildren: Shannah Malone, Devin Malone, Riley Malone, Abigail Duke, William Duke and Victoria Duke. Bobby resided in Jefferson, Ga., but was also a long-time resident in various cities of Gwinnett County. He spent many of his childhood years in the city of Atlanta by way of Eastanollee, Ga. where his ancestors settled in the 1800’s and where many extended Hayes family still live. Bobby was a well-loved man no matter the place he lived, collecting friends along the way and keeping them throughout his life. He truly never met a stranger. In fact, all kinds of people were drawn to Bobby. Rich, poor, young or old, he had a kind of magnetism that both disarmed people and intrigued them. His perpetual smile and vivacious laugh, which always threw his head back, were iconic. It was these “Bob Hayes trademarks” that revealed a mischievous nature in his youth, earned him the nickname, “Smiley,” in the Army, and were most often activated when cutting up or telling a good story. He lit up every space imaginable from living rooms to hospital beds, warming the hearts of many during the best of times and worst of times. Bobby called himself a “B.G.” (basic guy), not just because he was a country boy or simple man with simple pleasures, most often dressed in blue jeans and a white t-shirt or flannel, but he was about as easy-going as they come. Nevertheless, he was anything but ordinary! Bobby had that special “something.” He lived life with gusto every day. Faced hardships head-on. Took God at His word and lived a life that mirrored Jesus so much more than mere religion. He expressed an unconditional love that brought all people close and held them together. It’s no wonder he was loved by so many, in fact, pretty much whomever came into contact with him. He quickly won the hearts of even his bankers, doctors, and plumbing supply house workers, you name it; no matter the time, place, or circumstance, Bobby brought the party! Over the course of his 66 years, he was proud to have served in the 82nd Airborne for the United States Army, built a successful commercial plumbing company, fathered three girls, and loved on six grandkids, ranging in age from 22 to 6, in addition to have traveled many places across the globe with his loving wife of 15 years. Bobby had various interests and hobbies and was particularly known for his green thumb. He loved all kinds of music, travel, and antiques. In his younger years, he was known to be quite competitive in billiards and horseshoes. He had the pleasure of meeting his wife over 20 years ago when he was involved in various square-dancing clubs with his dad. When Bobby decided he liked something, he was known for going “all in.” For example, when he got into water wheels in the 1990’s, he ended up building one of his very own at his property off Five Forks Trickum Road, which is now home to Gwinnett County’s Ronald Reagan Park. He owned two lakes at his current residence and loved feeding the fish and spending time with his kids and grandkids fishing or driving them around his 50-acre property on the John Deer Gator he called, “The Green Machine.” In his retirement, he became a skilled wood turner, and was a member in good standing with the Chattahoochee Wood Turners of Gainesville at the time of his death. Bobby was also an active member at the First Baptist Church in Winder, and spent much of his adult life reading the Bible cover to cover a number of times. He also enjoyed reading historical biographies and other non-fiction books. He stayed curious all the time and never lost a zeal for learning. All are welcome to celebrate the life of Bobby Hayes by attending one or all of the following services. The visitation will be held at the Carter Funeral Home, 265 Hwy 211 NW in Winder, Ga. on Friday, 5-8 p.m. The funeral will be on Saturday, 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church on 625 Jefferson Highway in Winder, Ga. The body will lie in state at the church one hour before the funeral. The burial service will be held on Saturday, 3 p.m. at Stephens Memorial Gardens 3650 Hwy 17 in Toccoa, Ga. Please consider a donation to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network where a tribute page has been established at pancan.org or the Winder First Baptist Building Fund at fbcwinder.com in lieu of flowers.