Alfred William "Al" Hayes...Age 59

VISITATION: 2-4PM SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014 EDDY-BIRCHARD FUNERAL HOME WITH MILITARY HONORS BY THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS AT 4PM.

BURIAL: 9AM TUESDAY MAY 20TH LEAVENWORTH NATIONAL CEMETERY, LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS.

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Alfred William “Al” Hayes age 59, of Osawatomie, Kansas died Sunday, May 11, 2014 at his home.

Al was born October 24, 1954 in Kansas City, Missouri the fifth child of seven to James Granville and Margaret Louise (Wilson) Hayes.
He grew up in Kansas City and the Independence, Missouri area and attended high school at William Chrisman High School.

On August 8, 1972 Al enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was sent to Jacksonville North Carolina for basic training, he then went to Camp LeJeune in North Carolina to train as a Paratrooper.
Al served in Vietnam during the war and served on a Naval Ship that went completely around the world, to places like Morocco, Africa and Europe just to name a few. He was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps on April 29.1976.

He worked for the Kansas City Star in the maintenance department for over fifteen years, leaving there in 1995.

Al moved to Osawatomie when he married Debra Kessler on March 3, 1999 in Paola, Kansas. Al may not have been born and raised in Osawatomie but he soon felt as if he had. Osawatomie quickly became home to him, with his new wife and two step sons, he loved the small town community.

Al enjoyed coin collecting and spending time with friends. He could be found outside with good friends Frank Chavez of Osawatomie and Don Watson of Lane, KS talking and hanging out around the meat smoker.
He was a member of the Blue, Springs Missouri VFW and the American Legion of Paola, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother Forrest Hayes in 2005.

He is survived by his wife Debbie of the home, two step sons: Nicholas (Erin) Kessler of Tempe, AZ, Michael Kessler of Osawatomie, KS, three brothers: James Hayes of Warsaw, MO, Richard Hayes of Independence, MO, and David Hayes of Independence, Mo and two sisters: Shirley Countryman of Appleton City, MO and Rita Beckner of Osawatomie, KS and a new step- grand-baby due in July along with many other relatives and friends.