DATELINE: Lake View, S.C.

Mr. William Allen (Bill) Hayes, Sr.

William Allen (Bill) Hayes, Sr., age 93, of 1000 Dogwood Drive, Fairmont, NC, died at his home on March 9, 2021. Born on July 30, 1927 in Marietta, Robeson County, NC. He was the son of the late Robert Grady Hayes, Sr. and Agnes Morris Hayes. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his brother, Robert Grady Hayes, Jr.; brother-in-law, William Sam Holden, Jr.; nephew, William Sam Holden, III.; and a great niece, Leah Page Kiley.
A graduate of Fairmont High School, Bill pursued further study at North Carolina State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served active duty during both World War II and the Korean War. Bill was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also loved to travel in his RV.
In 1962 Bill began fulfilling his lifelong dream of developing an 18-hole golf course. To build the first nine holes, he began with land inherited from his uncle, Dr. Albert Hayes. As time passed, he acquired additional land for the final nine holes, thereby completing the 18-hole course known as Flag Tree. Through Bill’s ingenuity, commitment, and hard work, he succeeded in founding Flag Tree Golf Course in Fairmont, which he owned and operated for 42 years.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Bettie Gale Floyd Hayes; two sons, William Allen Hayes, Jr. and Bradley Floyd Hayes of Fairmont, NC; one daughter, Sandra Gale Hayes of Fairmont, NC; two grandchildren, David Dalton Lennon, Jr. of Boston, MA and Caroline Gale Lennon of San Diego, CA; two sisters, Lottie Mae Hayes Holden of Cordell, OK and Alice Faye Hayes of Wilmington, NC; three nieces; and three great-nieces and two great-nephews.
A graveside service will be conducted on Friday, March 12, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at Bear Swamp Baptist Church cemetery in Lake View, SC where Bill was a member as a child. The Reverends Doug Locklear will be officiating. The family welcomes friends at the family home, 1000 Dogwood Drive, Fairmont, NC, during their time of bereavement.
Memorials may be made in Mr. Hayes’ name to Bear Swamp Baptist Church, P.O. Box 703, Lake View, SC 29563, Trinity United Methodist Church, 307 Trinity Street, Fairmont, NC 28340, or to a charity of one’s choice.
Services entrusted to Cooke’s Funeral Home in Lake View, SC