William Prescott Hayes was the son of Josephine Richard & Branch Holland Hayes and the husband of Clista Gertrude Monceaux Moncrief.
His obituary which appeared in the Rayne-Acadian-Tribune on 9 July 1987 reads: William Prescott Hayes – Funeral services for William Prescott Hayes, 90, native of Branch and one of the thinning ranks of World War I veterans of this area, were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Chapel of Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne, with burial following in the Branch Methodist Cemetery. “Mr. Pres,” as he was widely known in the area, was a long-time member of the Arceneaux Post, American Legion, and a Guard of Honor of Legionnaires paid final military tribute to him during the services Tuesday. He is survived by one daughter, Clista Hayes Stagg of Rayne; four brothers, Warner Hayes and Robert Hayes of Branch, Overton Hayes of Elton, and Leland Hayes of Beaumont, Texas; one sister, Mrs. Percy Jeffers of Branch; and three grandchildren, Truman Stagg of Duson, Lee Ann Stagg and Katie Stagg, both of Rayne. Son of the late Branch Holland Hayes and Josephine Richard Hayes, pioneer residents of the Branch community, he had been active in many community programs. He was preceded in death by his wife earlier this year. Rev. Richard Poss, pastor of Centenary United Methodist Church will officiated at the services, assisted by Rev. Dennis Lafleur, pastor of Elizabeth Memorial Baptist Church. Special music included “Face to Face,” “It is Well With My Soul,” and “How Great Thou Art” was sung by Mrs. Dot Jennings, with Mrs. Henrietta Bruner as organist. Rev. Poss read from the Psalms for a most comforting message and from Paul’s letter to Timothy, the appropriate “He fought a god fight and had finished the Race. He kept the faith and often expressed his love for everyone, just as God loves us.” He particularly pointed to God’s spirit among the churches and people in the life of “Press”, working together for God. Pallbearers for the services were Truman Stagg, Boyd Jeffers, R.C. Attaway, Nolan Taylor, Bob Hicks and George Vincent. Legionnaires of Mr. Hayes’ treasured Arceneaux Post served as an Honor Guard in the Beautiful tribute to him those including Harris Sonnier, August Cormier, Leo Melancon, Nelson Richard, Louis Granger, Rodney Trahan, Louis Girouard, Murphy Nero, Nelson Hulin, Leo Spaetgens and John Shelton, Memorials Chairman. At the close of the final military remembrance, Rodney Trahan presented the American Flag to Mr. Hayes’ daughter, Mrs. Clista H. Stagg. Once again “Taps” have sounded for one of the community’s finest World War I heroes, but his great love of country, his true American spirit and the fellowship of other veterans through American Legion membership will always be remembered, as will his devotion and love for family, church and friends in a lie which can truly be called “exemplary”. To his loved ones and to those whose lives he enriched by his friendship, sincere sympathy is being expressed, even while knowing that a great “Homecoming” awaited him through his own beautiful record of Life. Gossen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Obituary provided by Rebecca A. Sonnier.
His obituary which appeared in the Rayne-Acadian-Tribune on 9 July 1987 reads: William Prescott Hayes – Funeral services for William Prescott Hayes, 90, native of Branch and one of the thinning ranks of World War I veterans of this area, were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Chapel of Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne, with burial following in the Branch Methodist Cemetery. “Mr. Pres,” as he was widely known in the area, was a long-time member of the Arceneaux Post, American Legion, and a Guard of Honor of Legionnaires paid final military tribute to him during the services Tuesday. He is survived by one daughter, Clista Hayes Stagg of Rayne; four brothers, Warner Hayes and Robert Hayes of Branch, Overton Hayes of Elton, and Leland Hayes of Beaumont, Texas; one sister, Mrs. Percy Jeffers of Branch; and three grandchildren, Truman Stagg of Duson, Lee Ann Stagg and Katie Stagg, both of Rayne. Son of the late Branch Holland Hayes and Josephine Richard Hayes, pioneer residents of the Branch community, he had been active in many community programs. He was preceded in death by his wife earlier this year. Rev. Richard Poss, pastor of Centenary United Methodist Church will officiated at the services, assisted by Rev. Dennis Lafleur, pastor of Elizabeth Memorial Baptist Church. Special music included “Face to Face,” “It is Well With My Soul,” and “How Great Thou Art” was sung by Mrs. Dot Jennings, with Mrs. Henrietta Bruner as organist. Rev. Poss read from the Psalms for a most comforting message and from Paul’s letter to Timothy, the appropriate “He fought a god fight and had finished the Race. He kept the faith and often expressed his love for everyone, just as God loves us.” He particularly pointed to God’s spirit among the churches and people in the life of “Press”, working together for God. Pallbearers for the services were Truman Stagg, Boyd Jeffers, R.C. Attaway, Nolan Taylor, Bob Hicks and George Vincent. Legionnaires of Mr. Hayes’ treasured Arceneaux Post served as an Honor Guard in the Beautiful tribute to him those including Harris Sonnier, August Cormier, Leo Melancon, Nelson Richard, Louis Granger, Rodney Trahan, Louis Girouard, Murphy Nero, Nelson Hulin, Leo Spaetgens and John Shelton, Memorials Chairman. At the close of the final military remembrance, Rodney Trahan presented the American Flag to Mr. Hayes’ daughter, Mrs. Clista H. Stagg. Once again “Taps” have sounded for one of the community’s finest World War I heroes, but his great love of country, his true American spirit and the fellowship of other veterans through American Legion membership will always be remembered, as will his devotion and love for family, church and friends in a lie which can truly be called “exemplary”. To his loved ones and to those whose lives he enriched by his friendship, sincere sympathy is being expressed, even while knowing that a great “Homecoming” awaited him through his own beautiful record of Life. Gossen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Obituary provided by Rebecca A. Sonnier.
William Prescott Hayes was the son of Josephine Richard & Branch Holland Hayes and the husband of Clista Gertrude Monceaux Moncrief.
His obituary which appeared in the Rayne-Acadian-Tribune on 9 July 1987 reads: William Prescott Hayes – Funeral services for William Prescott Hayes, 90, native of Branch and one of the thinning ranks of World War I veterans of this area, were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Chapel of Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne, with burial following in the Branch Methodist Cemetery. “Mr. Pres,” as he was widely known in the area, was a long-time member of the Arceneaux Post, American Legion, and a Guard of Honor of Legionnaires paid final military tribute to him during the services Tuesday. He is survived by one daughter, Clista Hayes Stagg of Rayne; four brothers, Warner Hayes and Robert Hayes of Branch, Overton Hayes of Elton, and Leland Hayes of Beaumont, Texas; one sister, Mrs. Percy Jeffers of Branch; and three grandchildren, Truman Stagg of Duson, Lee Ann Stagg and Katie Stagg, both of Rayne. Son of the late Branch Holland Hayes and Josephine Richard Hayes, pioneer residents of the Branch community, he had been active in many community programs. He was preceded in death by his wife earlier this year. Rev. Richard Poss, pastor of Centenary United Methodist Church will officiated at the services, assisted by Rev. Dennis Lafleur, pastor of Elizabeth Memorial Baptist Church. Special music included “Face to Face,” “It is Well With My Soul,” and “How Great Thou Art” was sung by Mrs. Dot Jennings, with Mrs. Henrietta Bruner as organist. Rev. Poss read from the Psalms for a most comforting message and from Paul’s letter to Timothy, the appropriate “He fought a god fight and had finished the Race. He kept the faith and often expressed his love for everyone, just as God loves us.” He particularly pointed to God’s spirit among the churches and people in the life of “Press”, working together for God. Pallbearers for the services were Truman Stagg, Boyd Jeffers, R.C. Attaway, Nolan Taylor, Bob Hicks and George Vincent. Legionnaires of Mr. Hayes’ treasured Arceneaux Post served as an Honor Guard in the Beautiful tribute to him those including Harris Sonnier, August Cormier, Leo Melancon, Nelson Richard, Louis Granger, Rodney Trahan, Louis Girouard, Murphy Nero, Nelson Hulin, Leo Spaetgens and John Shelton, Memorials Chairman. At the close of the final military remembrance, Rodney Trahan presented the American Flag to Mr. Hayes’ daughter, Mrs. Clista H. Stagg. Once again “Taps” have sounded for one of the community’s finest World War I heroes, but his great love of country, his true American spirit and the fellowship of other veterans through American Legion membership will always be remembered, as will his devotion and love for family, church and friends in a lie which can truly be called “exemplary”. To his loved ones and to those whose lives he enriched by his friendship, sincere sympathy is being expressed, even while knowing that a great “Homecoming” awaited him through his own beautiful record of Life. Gossen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Obituary provided by Rebecca A. Sonnier.
His obituary which appeared in the Rayne-Acadian-Tribune on 9 July 1987 reads: William Prescott Hayes – Funeral services for William Prescott Hayes, 90, native of Branch and one of the thinning ranks of World War I veterans of this area, were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Chapel of Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne, with burial following in the Branch Methodist Cemetery. “Mr. Pres,” as he was widely known in the area, was a long-time member of the Arceneaux Post, American Legion, and a Guard of Honor of Legionnaires paid final military tribute to him during the services Tuesday. He is survived by one daughter, Clista Hayes Stagg of Rayne; four brothers, Warner Hayes and Robert Hayes of Branch, Overton Hayes of Elton, and Leland Hayes of Beaumont, Texas; one sister, Mrs. Percy Jeffers of Branch; and three grandchildren, Truman Stagg of Duson, Lee Ann Stagg and Katie Stagg, both of Rayne. Son of the late Branch Holland Hayes and Josephine Richard Hayes, pioneer residents of the Branch community, he had been active in many community programs. He was preceded in death by his wife earlier this year. Rev. Richard Poss, pastor of Centenary United Methodist Church will officiated at the services, assisted by Rev. Dennis Lafleur, pastor of Elizabeth Memorial Baptist Church. Special music included “Face to Face,” “It is Well With My Soul,” and “How Great Thou Art” was sung by Mrs. Dot Jennings, with Mrs. Henrietta Bruner as organist. Rev. Poss read from the Psalms for a most comforting message and from Paul’s letter to Timothy, the appropriate “He fought a god fight and had finished the Race. He kept the faith and often expressed his love for everyone, just as God loves us.” He particularly pointed to God’s spirit among the churches and people in the life of “Press”, working together for God. Pallbearers for the services were Truman Stagg, Boyd Jeffers, R.C. Attaway, Nolan Taylor, Bob Hicks and George Vincent. Legionnaires of Mr. Hayes’ treasured Arceneaux Post served as an Honor Guard in the Beautiful tribute to him those including Harris Sonnier, August Cormier, Leo Melancon, Nelson Richard, Louis Granger, Rodney Trahan, Louis Girouard, Murphy Nero, Nelson Hulin, Leo Spaetgens and John Shelton, Memorials Chairman. At the close of the final military remembrance, Rodney Trahan presented the American Flag to Mr. Hayes’ daughter, Mrs. Clista H. Stagg. Once again “Taps” have sounded for one of the community’s finest World War I heroes, but his great love of country, his true American spirit and the fellowship of other veterans through American Legion membership will always be remembered, as will his devotion and love for family, church and friends in a lie which can truly be called “exemplary”. To his loved ones and to those whose lives he enriched by his friendship, sincere sympathy is being expressed, even while knowing that a great “Homecoming” awaited him through his own beautiful record of Life. Gossen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Obituary provided by Rebecca A. Sonnier.
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