winford hays
Winford William "Shorty" Hays, 81, of Weirton, passed away Friday, August 15, 2008 at the Weirton Medical Center. Born February 20, 1927 in Mundey, Wirt County, WV, he was the son of the late Doris Hays Roberts. With 43 years of service, Winford retired from Tin Mill where he worked in the Electrical Department. He was knighted a Knight of the Golden Horseshoe in the House Chamber of the State Capital in Charleston on May 1941, by W.W. Trent, the State Superintendent of Schools in WV. He graduated from Wirt County High School on May 22, 1945. He was indicted into the United States Army Air Corps Cadets, on March 17, 1944 at the age of seventeen, and was deferred to complete his high school education. After graduation, he took his Air Corp basic training at Kessler Field, Biloxi, Mississippi. After basic training, he was shipped to Guam, where he served in Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 20th Air Force. He was discharged with an Honorable Discharge on January 2, 1947 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He is Past Master of New Cumberland Lodge #22 AF Past High Priest of Hancock Chapter #14 R.A.M.; Past Commander of Weirton Commandry #30 K.T. He was awarded the Knight Templar Cross of Honor. He is Past Prior of West Virginia Priory #40, K.Y.C.H., where he now serves as Registrar. In 1969, he joined Osiris Shrine Temple and served as President of the Northern Panhandler Shrine Club in 1978. He is a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of the Valley of Wheeling, where he is a Past Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection; Past Wise Master of the Chapter of Rose Croix; Past Commander of the Council of kadosh. Also, he is a life member of the Scottish Rite Research Society. He was coronated a 33rd degree Mason in Washington D.C. in October 1995. He is a Past Excellent Chief of Knight Mason Council #7; Past Puissant Sovereign of Mountain State Conclave Red Cross of Constantine; Past Sovereign Master of the Allied Masonic Degrees Saint Lawrence the Martyr council #21; Past Preceptor Mount Calvary Tabernacle #XIX; Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest; member Royal Order of Scotland; member of Royal Order of Jesters #13; member Union Council #2 Steubenville, OH; member Super Excellent Masters Degree, Steubenville, Ohio and of West Virginia. He is presently serving Deputy Grand Lecture of the Grand Royal Arch Masons of West Virginia. He is a charter member of the Fort Henry York Rite College #61, where he is a Past Governor and served as the second Secretary for many years. He helped start Fort Steuben York Rite College #194 in Steubenville, Ohio where he is serving Treasurer. He received the Order of the Purple Cross in Baltimore, MD, in July 1990. He is Past Patron Weirton Chapter #147 and member El Tor Grotto. He is Past Grand Royal Patron of the Grand Court of West Virginia Order of the Amaranth. He is Vice President of the convention of Anointed High Priest of West Virginia. He is a member of the Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem. He is Past Governor of the Loyal Order of the Moose, where he received the Highest Degree named Pilgrim Degree of Merit. He is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles; life member American Legion Post 10, Weirton; life member Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post 2716, Weirton; member of Weirton World War II Last Man's Club; member Giuseppe Garibaldi Lodge and the Cedar Lodge Follansbee; member of Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church in Weirton, and has served as the church's Lay member of the West Virginia Annual Conference for many years. Winford is survived by his wife, Barbara Jean Kraina Hays, whom he married on April 28, 1959; his son Fred William Hays and Rita of Kettering, OH; his three daughters, Tammy and Edward Zivic of Chesapeake, VA, Gina and Robert Monte of Bethel Park, PA, Tricia and Chad Lamantia of Colliers, WV; his two brothers Noel W. Roberts of Elizabeth, WV, Robert Roberts and wife Mary Ann of Coolville, OH; his two sisters Edrie "Jean" Reels of Uniontown, OH, Priscilla Bauercamper and husband Charles of Cutler, OH; and his five grandchildren, Alissa Marie Monte, Matthew Robert Monte, Edward Braxton Hays Zivic, Noelle Loren Hays Lamantia, and Anessa Marie Hays Zivic. Friends will be received Sunday and Monday 1-3 and 6-8 PM at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton where funeral services will be celebrated 1PM Tuesday. Jodi Kraina will officiate. Entombment will follow at the Highland Hill Memorial Gardens, Follansbee, WV, with services conducted by the American Legion and the Weirton Honor Guard, and the New Cumberland Lodge # 22 AF & AM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society 2 Gate Way Center North Suite 13 Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Share tributes and memories at www.grecohertnick.com

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  1. Thank you for taking my dad to all the mason meetings. You were a great friend to him and you will be missed. Karen Riffee

  2. Barb & Girls – so sorry to hear of Wink’s passing – I have many fond memories of you living next to my family when I was growing up. You are all in my thoughts & prayers. Christine Zucosky Kelly

  3. Barb, Tammy, Gina and Tricia, We are so sorry to hear of Wink’s passing. He always made us laugh at family get-togethers and we always knew what a good man he was. Please know that we are praying for all of you in this difficult time….Kathy & Karl

  4. My prayers and the prayers of the members of Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church go out to your family. Grace and Peace, now and forever.

  5. My deepest sympathies are extended. Winford was my counterpart as the Grand Represenative of Nova Scotia near the Grand Chapter of WV.

  6. Tricia, Tammy and Family: I’m so very sad to learn of your father’s death. I know what you are going through, since I recently lost my father March 13 from an intracerebral hemorrhage while battling bile duct cancer. It is comforting for me to know that he is in a better place, as is your dad now. My father always thought very highly of your father and liked him a lot. Your father was a blessing to our community and all those he helped. It’s really hard to continue life on Earth without them near or just a phone call away to say hello. Tricia, I haven’t seen you in church because I have been spending a lot of time with my mom, who’s still grieving and having a difficult time adjusting; Tammy, I haven’t seen you in years! — Just know that I will keep you all in my prayers. If you want to talk, please feel free to call me at 748-0606. Remember: Don’t be afraid to lean on Jesus — He runs to our rescue when we are at our lowest, such as now. Know that your father loved you very, very much and was proud of you all! God Bless you always, Sue Tucker Azzarello

  7. I am truly sorry to hear of the passing of so good a man and brother. Shorty always greeted me with a hearty hello and a great smile on his face. He was a genuine brother and will certainly be missed. “Worthy the name of Sir Knight.”

  8. So sorry to see my friend Shorty pass,he was a great co-worker and taught me much about electronics and life in general. May he rest in peace. Ed Peters

  9. Although we always called him “Shorty” Winnie was a man of great stature as a friend and a Mason. I am saddened by his death but proud to have traveled with him. I will never forget his smile.

  10. My sympathies and prayers to the family, I will miss “Shorty” in my travles in Grand Chapter and all other bodys

  11. My friend whom I admired and respected for many years. A wonderful man,husband,father and grandfather by all accounts! He was an inspiration to me and loved by us both. My wife Theresa,known by his family as Terri,had Gina and Trisha baby sit her children and spent alot of time with Tammy for many years. His family means alot to us and I know they all loved him so very much. I remember when I was asked to be the administrator of the Follansbee Moose lodge #205 Shorty was the Governor at the time. The officers and I had the privledge to host a dinner and recognition program in his honor for the Pilgrim “Coating” when he returned from Chicago as a new Pilgram of the Moose. A great honor for an even greater man. He will surely be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. I know life will not be quite the same without him around and his warm smile and friendly hand-shake to look forward to when I would see him. May God bless! We love you Mr. Hays…..

  12. Gina and family: May your faith give you strength in the days ahead. Your father’s homecoming into the loving arms of our Savior Jesus Christ was promised at his baptism. While it is hard to let go, may the blessed assurance of your reunion in heaven give you comfort and peace.

  13. To the Hays Family: Sorry to hear abou the passing of your father. Although I did not know him, it sounds like he was quite a man. You have my deepest sympathy. Tammy, please feel free to call me (412-341-2221 or 724-693-8770) or email. I would love to connect with you again. Regards, Deborah Flasko-Albaugh

  14. Trish and family, We are so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are all in our hearts & prayers! May God Bless you with the peace that passes all understanding… Steve & Dawn Powell

  15. I was very sorry to hear of Shorty’s passing and regret that I could not express my condolences to his family in person. He was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed.

  16. Mrs. Hays and family, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.

  17. Dear Tammy and family: I am saddened to hear of your Daddy’s passing, but you know he didn’t die, he just passed on to another wonderful world of peace and happiness. He will always be with you. Sincerely, Barb Pflugh

  18. Tricia, We are so sorry to read of your loss. I remember you always referring to your father “Winnie” with fond tales and a smile. Our deepest Sympathies to you and your family. David and Amy Starr

  19. Tammy and Family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May you find comfort in knowing that others are thinking of you during this difficult time. You are in my prayers.

  20. Daddy, I miss you with all my heart. In all facets of my life still has you in it. It seems that wherever I go or whatever I do, you were a part of it. Your memory is still very much alive. I still feel you with me and in the soul of Noelle Loren. We love you so much. Sometimes it is atill a struggle to get through the day. Yet, knowing I have kept my promises to you makes it somewhat easier. You knew I would. When you said that I exceeded all of your expectations, is what I go to when I miss you the most. How blessed I am to have had you!!! I love you Daddy!! Love, your Baby Girl


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