William Garland Hayes, Longtime Long Branch Police Officer, Dies At 80

Courtesy of Cofer Memorial Home:

William Garland Hayes, 80, of Long Branch, died on Jan. 29, 2016.

He was born in Doerun, GA on September 7, 1935, to Ruby Garland and Addie Hayes He graduated from Glassboro high school in 1954, and then joined the Air Force in 1955. He worked at Marlboro State Hospital before joining the Long Branch Police Department, where he served as a policeman for 25 years before retiring in 1991.

William was affectionately known as “Big Bill” Hayes in Long Branch, where he lived for most of his adult life serving the community in which he loved.

Bill will be remembered as a big man with a big heart and a big smile. He was a loving father, a passionate baseball player and an avid golfer. He enjoyed going fishing, frequenting the casinos in Atlantic City, and having a good time with family and friends.

Bill is predeceased by his sister Betty Hayes Alston and Marilyn King Samuels. He is survived by his daughters Andrea Schwartz (husband Steven), Regina Schwartz (husband Quinton) Neptune, NJ, Kimberly-Clark (husband Robert) of El Paso, TX and Natalie Hayes of Long Branch, NJ. His sons: Bernard Hayes (wife Rhonda), Michael Hayes (wife Jennifer) and Joel Hayes (wife Valerie), all of Houston TX. Extended Family: Thelma Rogers-Hayes, Susan Hayes-Stasio and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and very close friends.

A memorial service will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, February 20, 2016, at St. James Church 300 Broadway Long Branch, NJ. Arrangements are under the care of Cofer Memorial Home in Red Bank, NJ. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in William’s name to the American Cancer Society .