Donald “Gabby” Lee Hays, 78, of Mottern Road, Chicora, Oakland Township, passed away Saturday at the VA Medical Center in Oakland following a lengthy illness.

Born Oct. 13, 1938, in Donegal, he was the son of the late Joseph and Mabel Rodgers Hays. He was married for 59 years to Judy Mottern Hays, who survives.

Gabby worked at Pullman Standard and then at Trinity. He then owned and operated many different businesses in the Butler area. He was a member of the North Butler Presbyterian Church. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Army, and he was a member of the American Legion Post 778 in Lyndora, He was also a member of the Moose Lodge 64 in Butler and a former Oakland Township supervisor. He enjoyed the river, his farm and the barn, and following his children and grandchildren’s activities and sporting events.

In addition to his wife, Judy, survivors include his daughter, Vallerie (Paul) Hammond of West Monterey, Pa.; three sons, Carl (Bev) Hays of Chicora, Rick Hays of Herman and Rod (Lisa) Hays of Chicora; his sister, Helen Hickey of Butler; two brothers, John “Baldy” (Dorothy) Hays of Lyndora and Carl (Pauline) Hays of East Butler; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister; four brothers; and one daughter-in-law, Michele Hays.

HAYS — Visiting hours for Donald “Gabby” Lee Hays, who died Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016, will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Young Funeral Home, 127 W. Jefferson St., Butler.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Mary Kitchen, his pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at the North Butler Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Military rites will be offered by the Veterans Honor Guard.

Arrangements have been entrusted to his nephew, Robert Marshall, at the Marshall Funeral Home in Wampum.

Online condolences may be sent to marshallsfh.com.