Eugene Emerson Hayes, 84, of Pullman, W.Va., departed this life on Monday, March 11, 2013, at Camden Clark Medical Center, St. Joseph's Campus, following a sudden illness.
Eugene was born Dec. 2, 1928, on Spruce Creek near Hazelgreen, a son of the late Harley H. and Shada E. (Goff) Hayes. He was a graduate of Pennsboro High School with the class of 1947. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served as a cook during the Korean Conflict. He was employed for a short time by the Wilcox Co. in Barberton, Ohio, where he worked in the machine shop before returning home to begin working for Equitable Gas Co., where he retired after many years of service as a well tender. He served as the mayor of Pullman for numerous years, greatly enjoyed his Wednesday card games, playing rummy with his grandkids, and was an all around jokester.
He is survived by his daughters, Jeana Hayes and Jane Hayes, both of Harrisville, W.Va.; son, John Hayes (Lori), Pullman, W.Va.; grandchildren, Bob, Samantha and Mikayla Hayes, and Cruz, Cali, Carigan and Casslyn Hayes; sisters, Wilmetta Kelley (Bill) of Pullman, W.Va.; Katy Keith (Dale) of Harrisville, and Helen Jackson of Harrisville; along with the mother of his children, Ann King of Harrisville; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Hayes; and sisters, Gwendolyn Parks, Rosemary Cox and Emma Ireland.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Raiguel Funeral Home, Harrisville. Burial will follow in the Pullman Cemetery, where full military honors will be conducted by Harris-Ritchie Post #3554. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mcculloughraiguel.com
