William “Bill” Hayes

William “Bill” Hayes, 72, of Afton died Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020, at Clearview Home in Mount Ayr. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Creston. Father Adam Westphal will officiate the service. Masks are recommended and social distancing will be observed. Burial will be at a later date at the Iowa Veteran Cemetery in rural Van Meter.

Open visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m., time of sharing will begin at 6:30 p.m., rosary service starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, with family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m. at Powers Funeral Home in Creston.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are kindly suggested to St. Malachy Foundation, Union County Honor Flight or Muscle Mat Wrestling Club of Afton. Online condolences can be made at www.powersfh.com.

William “Bill” Anthony Hayes, one of eight children to Leo Glenn Hayes and Helen Genevieve (Miller) Hayes, was born April 1, 1948, in Creston. He attended grade school at St. Malachy Catholic School and graduated from Creston High School with the Class of 1967. He went on and furthered his education at Southwestern Community College, completing courses in carpentry.

In Nov. 1967, Bill enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps. During his time in the service, Bill was stationed in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Purple Heart. Upon his return from war, Bill was stationed in San Diego, California. It was there he met Janet Marie Braman.

On Aug. 5, 1972, Bill and Janet were united in marriage in San Diego. While residing there Bill worked for his brother, David, at Jack-In-The-Box, starting Bill’s life-long career in food service. In 1980, Bill moved his family back to his roots in Creston where they purchased King’s Café from Jim and Betty King. As a family, they owned and operated the newly named The Windrow Restaurant and Sports Bar. Bill continued to operate the business until he was forced to retire due to his health. They sold The Windrow Restaurant in May of 2019.

Bill loved his family and the outdoors. He spent many hours working on the family cabin for all to enjoy. Bill would have loved his retirement and just being “Papa.” This Papa would have been at all of his grandchildren’s adventures; fishing, wrestling on the floor, you name it, he would have been there. Even in recent years, you could see a twinkle in his eyes when the grandkids would enter the room.

Bill was a faithful member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church and was active with St. Malachy School Board. He also served on the Greater Regional Health Hospital Board for many years and along with Janet, they were awarded the Volunteer Award by Gov. Branstad in 1987 for their volunteer work at St. Malachy School. Bill was also a member of the Iowa Restaurant Association.

Bill will be missed greatly by his family along with all that he encountered through his career.

Bill is survived by his wife, Janet; daughter Melissa (Jason) Butler of Cromwell; three sons: Ryan Hayes, Jacob (Debbie) Hayes and Andrew Hayes, all of Afton; seven grandchildren: Chase Butler, Damon Hayes, Sherman Hayes, Madeline Hayes, Joseph Hayes, Silas Hayes and Willa Hayes; three brothers: David Hayes of San Diego, Mark (Carol) Hayes of Creston and James (Virginia) Hayes of Creston; three sisters: Jacquelyn Gephart of San Diego, Elizabeth (Richard) Baker of Creston and Mary Lynn (Arlin) Beemer of Mason City; along with many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, sister Anita (Dale) Thomas, mother and father-in-law Sherman and Erma Braman, brothers-in-law Richard Braman and William Gephart, sisters-in-law Linda Hayes and Judy Hayes, nieces Mary Catherine Buckholtz and Michelle Baker, nephew Shane Hayes.