At 83 years of age, William passed away Thursday evening, March 3, 2016 at the Chelsea Soldier's Home. Born and raised in Boston, William is the son of the late William J. and Mary Ann (Cunningham) Hayes. William attended school in Boston and graduated from Roxbury Memorial High School, Class of 1950. On August 4, 1952, William began active duty in the US Army. He became a Corporal in the 1717 339th Comm Recon Co. and received a CCC Medal Germany, a Good Conduct Medal and a National Defense Service Medal. He was honorably discharged on July 6, 1955 at Ft. Dix in New Jersey. Upon returning home from the service, William attended the former Burdett School of Business to receive his Bachelor of Science Degree. Throughout his business career, William worked as an accountant in the bank industry. He was a resident of South Boston before moving to the Chelsea Soldier's Home in 1999. William is a late member of the VFW #507 in Lynn.

William was the husband of the late Alma Parrot. Brother of the late James P. Hayes and Sister Marie Hayes, a late Nun of the Sister of Charity in NJ. Brother-in-law of the late Kathleen Hayes. William is lovingly survived by 2 nieces, Linda Keelan of Ashland and Patricia Letendre of Coventry, RI.