April 30, 2024 – West Bend, WI – William “Bill” Matthew Hayes, 94, of West Bend, WI, formerly of Wauwatosa, died peacefully on Sunday, April 28, 2024.
He was born in Milwaukee, the son of Matthew Hayes and Rosella Hayes, nee Heppe. He graduated from Marquette University High School and from Saint Francis Seminary.
He served in the US Army from 1951 to 1953.
In 1955 he married Mildred T. Strauel of Jesup IA. Within a couple of years, they were living in Wauwatosa where they raised four children. They were faithful members of St. Jude Parish and later St. Frances Cabrini Parish.
Bill was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was an avid fan of Marquette Basketball. He enjoyed driving the backroads of the Kettle Moraine with frequent stops at Holy Hill. He readily shared his extensive knowledge of Washington County and Milwaukee County.
He was a man of great faith who taught his children the value of hard work.
He is predeceased by his wife Mildred Hayes who died in 2017, his brother James Hayes and his sister Rosemary Hayes Mahoney.
Those Bill leaves behind to cherish his memory include four children, Michael (Elizabeth) Hayes of Whitefish Bay, Timothy (Mary) Hayes of Whitefish Bay, John Hayes of Lexington, Kentucky, and Sara Hayes of Milwaukee, eight grandchildren, Eric, Isabelle, Lillian, Greta, Peter, Josef, Matthew, and Jacob.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Bill will be on Saturday May 4, 2024, at 11 a.m. at St. Frances Cabrini, 1025 South Seventh Avenue, West Bend. Rev. Jacob Strand is officiating. Assisting as Deacon is Philip Hayes.
Visitation is from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the church. Interment at Old St. Kilian’s Cemetery in Hartford, WI, with military honors, followed by a celebration to be announced at the close of Mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Frances Cabrini School Endowment Fund or charity of your choice.
Bill’s family appreciates the numerous friends and neighbors for their outpouring of love and kindness.
The Myrhum Patten Funeral Homes have been entrusted with Bill’s arrangements. Additional information and guest book may be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.
