James W. Hayes, 82, of Dunbar, passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2009 in the Select Specialty Hospital, Charleston, following a short illness.

He was born June 2, 1926 in Nitro to the late John W. and Hester Hayes.

Jim was a member of Dunbar United Methodist Church, and he was retired from the Kroger Company as a truck driver for 31 years. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and in the Naval reserves until 1952.

Mr. Hayes is survived by his wife, Joy Hoke Hayes, son, Michael Hayes of Nitro and daughter, Susan Matheny of Tornado, 6 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; sisters, Lila Littlejohn of Taft, Tennessee and Helen Russell of Greenville, South Carolina.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, April 3, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar, with the Rev. Dr. Okey Harless officiating. Entombment will follow in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, April 2, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.