William A. Hayes Jr.'s Obituary
Retired Colonel William A. Hayes, Jr., 85, of Millbury, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on August 26, 2025.
Born on July 27, 1940, in Millbury, MA, Bill grew up on Millbury Street and attended Millbury Memorial High School, where he excelled as a star football and track athlete. He went on to earn a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Boston University. It was during his time at BU that he met the love of his life, Sandra J. Stuckey. Their first meeting nearly didn’t happen—until a friend challenged Bill to ask Sandra to dance. The two were married on September 12, 1964, in Gardner, MA, and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2024.
Following graduation, Bill began a distinguished 23-year career in the United States Air Force. A passionate and highly skilled pilot, he flew nearly every aircraft imaginable and later led various flight test programs. After retiring from the military, he continued serving the nation’s defense through a 15-year career at Northrop Grumman.
While Bill took great pride in his professional accomplishments, his greatest joy was his family. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, he raised four children and remained actively involved in his grandchildren’s lives.
Bill had great enthusiasm for life—he enjoyed traveling with his family, snow and water skiing, working in the yard, and tinkering in his garage while listening to 1940s big band music. A devout Catholic, he enjoyed attending church regularly with his family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Irene Hayes, his son, John, and his sister, Shirley. He is survived by his brother, Ken, children, Chris and his wife Jovi, Kellie and her partner Rich, Jennifer and her wife Heather, and Rebecca, and his grandchildren, Zac, Belle, William, and Sam.
Family visitation will be held on Sunday, August 31, 2025, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at Floral Haven Funeral Home in Broken Arrow, OK. A graveside service will follow on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 1:00 pm at Calvary Cemetery in Tulsa, OK.
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