Harold Winford Hayes

The service for Mr. Hayes will be live streamed on the Facebook Page of Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor.​

Harold Winford Hayes was born on July 12, 1933 to the late Elker and Roberta Hayes.  He departed this life on January 20, 2022 at Duke University Medical Center.  He was the eighth of nine children.  He was preceded in death by his brothers, William, Ruben, Raymond, Jesse and Charles, his sisters, Helen, Ora Jean and Bertie and his son Roderick “Roddy Hayes.

When he was 12 years old, he went into the history books after competing in the All American Soap Box Derby.  He won the first place trophy for local competition which allowed him to compete at the national level in Akron, Ohio where he placed 4th.  He became the first African American to ever compete in this race.  The full story of his Soap Box Derby journey is featured in the book “Champions, Cheaters, and Childhood Dreams – Memories of the Soap Box Derby” by Melanie Payne.

In 1953 he graduated from Hillside High School and served as the class President.  He was later employed at Duke University Medical Center as a Computer Systems Supervisor where he retired after more than 30 years of service.  He joined Mt. Calvary Baptist Church where he served in many capacities including singing in the Choir with the Voices of Faith, ushering, Trustee and Deacon.  He served faithfully until his health no longer allowed him to.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of over 50 years Reba Parker Hayes.  Seven children, Harold W. Hayes, Jr. (Lisa), Patrick Hayes, Sandra Hayes, Kenneth Hayes, Sherwood Hayes (Diana), Harriet Hayes Lyons (Greg) and Tammy Hayes. 14 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

He will always be remembered for his great sense of humor, his caring and loving spirit and his famous chili.  We will miss him dearly and cherish his memory forever.

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