Arthur Wayne Hays

Arthur Wayne Hays, age 77 of Council Bluffs, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on May 2, 2017 at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs.

Art was born to Virgil Russell and Nellie Hays on September 19, 1939 in Lenox, Iowa. Art was the middle child of three children. He graduated eighth grade from Lincoln Township #6 (a country school) and then Diagonal High School in 1958. Art played basketball and baseball at Diagonal all through high school. On February 26, 1961, he married his high school sweetheart, Carol. Art was drafted into the Army in 1962 and was stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas from 1962-64. In 1963 their son, Russell Paul was born at Ft. Riley. When they returned to Council Bluffs from the service, Art went to work in Omaha. Art retired from Qwest in 2001. After he and Carol retired, they spent their winters in Alamo, Texas. Art was a member of Zion Congregational Church in Treynor.

Art was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother, Mildred and brother, Orval.

Art is survived by his wife, Carol; son, Russ and wife, Jill; his grandchildren, Tiffany and Rudy Carrizales, Tracy, Dan and Gracie Hays; his sister, Lois Jeanette Irwin and friend Tony Hovet; sister in law, Georgia Hays; step-brother, Maynard and Carolyn Dolecheck; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

After retirement, Art started playing a guitar that his kids gave him. He took lessons in Texas and spent hours playing and singing only for his family. They could never get him to sing in public except for the one time he sang “You are My Sunshine” with his granddaughter Gracie at he and Carol’s 50th wedding anniversary. Art loved being outdoors caring for his yard, feeding the birds and tending to his garden. He was a man with a heart of gold, a contagious smile and always a kind word. He will be deeply missed and the memories of him will always be cherished by those who loved him.

Visitation with the family will be held Monday 6 to 8PM at the Hoy – Kilnoski Funeral Home. The memorial service will be Tuesday 11AM at the Zion Congregational Church in Treynor. Military honors will be conducted by the Lamar Hartje American Legion Post 725. The family will direct the memorials