Vance Charles Hays, 80, of Olla, passed from this life on Sunday, May 31, 2015, after a brief illness, surrounded by family and friends and those who loved him in life. He was born March 16, 1935 in Olla to the union of his parents, Marshall and Irma Hays. He married his wife and lifelong partner, Geneva Hays, on July 22, 1953. Van graduated from LaSalle High School and went on to a long distinguished career in the pipeline construction and engineering fields. He traveled the world, including the Middle East in Abadan, Iran, and Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. He was an avid outdoorsman, fisherman and donut shop operator. He and his wife owned and operated numerous successful businesses in the local community, including H & N Building Supply (at the current site of the Olla Fire Department), the Donut Shop, and Louisiana Cypress Products. Services will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, June 4, from the chapel of Riser Funeral Home in Olla with Rev. Bob McIlwain officiating, and Harry Polly delivering the eulogy. Interment will follow in the Beech Creek Cemetery under direction of Riser Funeral Home of Olla/Columbia. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Riser Funeral Home in Olla. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Geneva Hays of Olla; three sons, Brent Hays and wife Deborah of Frisco, TX, Scott Hays and wife Mary of Mexico, MO, and Alan Hays and wife Nellie of Houston, TX; his constant companion in his later years, Pete, his dog; two grandsons, Brooks Hays of Denton, TX and Justin Hays of Hawaii; four granddaughters, Valerie Felty of Plano, TX, Cristine Coffee of Carrollton, TX, Vanessa Hays of St. Louis, MO, and
Nicole Yates of Huntsville, AL; six great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
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