Clifford Hayes

Clifford Hayes of Buford, GA (age 98) passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. Cliff was born on September 21, 1924, in Kay County, OK, to Marshall W and Audie Josephine (Phillips) Hayes. Cliff moved to Missouri and eventually to Ramsey, Illinois, where he graduated as valedictorian from Ramsey High School. Shortly thereafter, Cliff joined the United States Army, where he served in the South Pacific during WWII. His artillery unit saw action in New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Leyte Gulf. After the war, Cliff migrated to northern Illinois where he found work at Johns Manville in Waukegan. It was while working at this plant, that he met Joan Elaine Rewey. They married on July 2, 1948. Cliff and Joan lived in Illinois for the next 35 years, eventually settling in the Zion/Waukegan area. Cliff joined the Waukegan Fire Department, where he served for 22 years until retiring at the rank of Lieutenant. After traveling in their RV for a time, Cliff and Joan moved to Mabank, TX, then Cleveland, GA, and Buford, GA. Cliff diligently followed Jesus’ teachings, and he measured his success in life by how well he “walked the talk”. Cliff was a skilled builder who enjoyed working with his hands. He often took his family camping, and shared his love of nature with them through vacations to National Parks. Being a member of the Greatest Generation, Cliff had a strong sense of duty and a strong work ethic. He would be pleased to know that each of his children shares these qualities with him. Perhaps his greatest achievement was his marriage to Joan, the love of his life, for 70 years. He was preceded in death by his wife Joan Elaine (Rewey) Hayes, brothers Clarence, Clyde, Wesley Hayes, sister Virginia (Hayes) Metzelaars, and granddaughter Vanessa Lynn Hayes. Survivors include children: Rodney G (Diane) Hayes, Green Cove Springs, FL; Paul W (Charisse) Hayes, Buford, GA; Chris A (Tina) Hayes, Cumming, GA; Laurel (Laurie Hayes Shumaker) (Ray) Stell, Shell, WY; grandchildren: Renee M (Brian) Davis, Ryan M Hayes, Brett D (Kristina) Shumaker, Drew J (Karina) Hayes, Matthew G Shumaker, Sean C Hayes; 14 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson. A combined Memorial service for Cliff and Joan Hayes will be held on October 15, 2023, at 11:00 am, at Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland GA. A livestream of the service can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/event/3794789 To leave a note of condolence, please visit Barrett Funeral Home Memorial page at barrettfh.com Barrett Funeral Home Cleveland, GA.