Alfred Wendell Hays

Alfred Wendell Hays was born July 13, 1921 to Arthur and Ascenath Hays of Ohio, Missouri. He grew up and went to school at Upper Monegaw school, which was a one room school house. Al was the middle child with one older sister and one younger sister. As a young boy he worked in his father's coal mine and for the local farmers at harvest time.

Al was called to the service in 1942. Basic training was at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. For maneuvers he was stationed in the desert near Yuma, Arizona. He became a U.S. Army Combat Engineer. Duty sent him over seas to Africa and Italy where he earned 3 Bronze Stars. Al was on a ship sailing to the Pacific Theater when Japan surrendered. The ship was immediately rerouted to Boston.

After the war, Al went home and began work in Rockville, Missouri in the grocery store and ice delivery business. While at home Al met a young woman by the name of Arleine Sillivan who talked him into traveling out west to Oregon to see what opportunities might be available. Al and Arleine were married in Baker, Oregon June 23, 1950. While in Oregon, Al worked in the lumber mill and also in the Assessors office. Al and Arleine moved to Washington in 1952. Al began working in lumber and ended up in the fruit drying business at Valley Evaporating Company for 31 years in Chelan Falls. For a good number of those years he was the plant manager.

In 1955 Al and Arleine became the parents of a baby daughter. Cheryl was their only child and she was truly the apple of their eye. They were a very close family. They lost Cheryl to cancer in 1981. Al and Arleine helped raise their grandson, Ryan Long, in his early years. They stayed closed to their grandchildren; Ryan, Kyle and Brandon, enjoying their life experiences.

When Al retired, the couple continued to be active and involved. Al worked in the orchards at harvest time, they square danced and were members of the Manson Farmers Market where they sold old linens, cast iron and produce. Al and Arleine traveled every winter for 21 years.

Al grew a beautiful garden every summer and he and Arleine maintained a huge lovely lawn. He shared garden produce with friends, enjoyed his neighbors, and fed the birds and stray animals now and then. Al and Arleine were part of Chelan Seniors for many years. Most of all they enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren whom they loved very dearly.

Services for Alfred Hays will be arranged very soon.  Please check back for place and time.  Please leave any thoughts and memories for the family at www.prechtrose.com.  Services are under the direction of Precht Rose Chapel of Chelan.