Cumberland Times-News
—
KEYSER, W.Va. — Ernest
Harold “Sam” Hayes, 87, of
Keyser, passed away Sunday,
Nov. 4, 2012 at his residence.
Born July 29, 1925 in Keyser,
he was the second eldest son
of seven children born to the
late Rollie R. and Lena C.
(Urice) Hayes.
Sam completed eight years
of formal education.
He was a pulpwood cutter
until he was employed by the
Mineral County Board of Education
as a school bus driver.
While employed there, Sam
and his wife, Betty began operating
a gas station on Route 46
known as “Sam’s Texaco.” In
1978, he retired from operating
the service station and
purchased the Millar Farm,
near Fort Ashby. He continued
to farm until he passed away.
In addition to his wife of 63
years, Betty R. (Smith) Hayes,
currently a resident at Heartland
of Keyser Nursing home,
he is also survived by a daughter,
Joan F. and husband,
Melvin “Boog” Whetzel, of
Keyser; a grandson, Joseph H.
Whetzel, and wife Tracy, and
their children, Savannah and
Logan, Cumberland; a granddaughter,
Jennifer M. (Westfall)
Smith, her children,
Haley, Linsey, and Andy Westfall,
and her boyfriend, Jimmy
Parrish, of Keyser; two sisters,
Madeline C. Jones, Dawnview
Manor, and Betty L. Gains,
Fort Ashby; three brothers,
Donald G. “Tip” Hayes, and
wife Sally, Patterson Creek,
Ervin B. “Bunk” Hayes, and
wife Esther and Leon “Poodle”
Hayes, and wife Joan, all
of Keyser; one sister-in-law,
Norma J. Hayes, Fort Ashby;
and many nieces and
nephews.
He was preceded in death
by one brother, Erman P.
“Hoppy” Hayes; and, two
brothers-in-law, Vernon C.
Gains and Robert L. Jones.
Sam was a Methodist by
faith and had attended the
Wesleyan Methodist Church
on Route 46.
Along with being an avid
farmer, Sam enjoyed hunting.
He was loving, gentle, and an
engaging person. He found
great pleasure talking to the
many neighbors and friends
that would visit him at the
farm. He will be sadly missed
by so many.
Friends and relatives may
call at the Upchurch Funeral
Home, Inc., Route 28, Fort
Ashby, on Thursday from 2 to 4
and 7 to 9 p.m.
The funeral service will be
conducted in the funeral home
on Friday at 2 p.m. with Pastor
David Strawn, officiating. The
family will receive friends an
hour prior to services.
Entombment will follow at
Potomac Memorial Gardens.
Serving as pallbearers will
be Denny Hayes, Bobby
Hayes, Davy Hayes, Connie
Hayes, Scott Whetzel, and
Gary Thompson. A.G. Bailey
and Bernie Ickes will be honorary
pallbearers.
Condolences to the family
may be posted after Mr.
Hayes’ obituary at
www.upchurchfh.com.
