Herrin- William F. "Doc" Hays, M.D., 77, of Herrin, passed away at 4:21 AM, Saturday, December 28, 2024 at his home.

He was born on May 28, 1947 in Herrin to Morris H. and Lela Evelyn (Misker) Hays.  He married Pam Holder on October 1, 1983 at Johnston City Freewill Baptist Church.

After receiving his medical degree from Northwestern University, Doc began a long career as a family practice physician in Herrin.  He operated his practice- William F. Hays MD, Ltd in Herrin and was a partner of Logan Primary Care in Herrin.  He had a passion for medicine and healing his patients.  He constantly kept up to date with new techniques and trends within the industry and even in his last days offered "suggestions" to his caregivers.  Doc himself was a lung transplant survivor and was thankful for the efforts and knowledge of the team members and physicians at Mid America Transplant, Barnes Jewish Hospital and Washington University.  Because of their efforts he was able to spend several more years with his family and meet his grandchildren.

Doc was a baseball fan and loved the St. Louis Cardinals and enjoyed traveling with the team on the Cardinal Cruises and Caravans.  He was determined southern Illinois should have a team of their own and was instrumental in the development of Rent One Park and the Southern Illinois Miners.  He coached his son Billy's little league teams for many years in Johnston City and in Herrin.

He most enjoyed quiet time spent with his family and playing Wordle with his grandkids.  He was a Christian man who was a voracious reader of various genres including medicine and religion and enjoyed sharing his knowledge .

Survivors include his wife Pam Hays of Herrin; daughter- Karen Mayer and husband Mike of Herrin; son- William "Billy" Hays and wife Stephanie of Herrin; grandchildren- Madison Elliott, Haydon Mayer and Lexi, William and Bradley Hays; father in law and mother in law- Harold "Butch" and Elaine Holder of Herrin; sister in law- Deidra Nugent and husband John of Herrin; nieces- Michelle Steh, Taylor Kiesling and Sydney Nugent of Herrin and Kaitlyn Smith of Charleston, SC.  He also leaves behind his beloved dog and companion- "Penny".

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter- Kelly Sue Hays; brother- Hank Hays; niece- Holly Hays and nephew- Morris H. "Trey" Hays, III.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 4, 2025 at Lone Oak Baptist Church/ 809 Ryan Drive/ Energy, IL   62933.  Pastor David Dyer and Rev. Mark Goldman will officiate.  Burial will follow at Egyptian Memorial Gardens in Herrin.  Visitation will be from 5-8:00 PM, Friday, January 3, 2025 at Lone Oak Baptist Church/ 809 Ryan Drive/ Energy, IL  62933 and from 9-11 AM, Saturday at Lone Oak Baptist Church.  Funeral arrangements were entrusted to McCluskie-Miller Funeral Home in Herrin.

Memorial donations are suggested to the Herrin Animal Shelter or Lone Oak Baptist Church and will be accepted at the church or mailed to McCluskie-Miller Funeral Home/ 501 S. 12th St./ Herrin, IL  62948.

For more information, please visit www.mccluskiemillerfh.com.

Herrin Animal Shelter

Lone Oak Baptist Church
809 Ryan Drive, Energy IL 62933