Obituary of Grace K. Hayes

Grace Hayes, beloved wife and mother, passed away on January 15, 2022 in Mountain Home. Grace was born in Tokyo, Japan, in June of 1961 to retired USAF Master Sargent Eugene and Keiko Williams. She graduated high school in Fairfield, in June of 1979 and soon met her husband, Jim Hayes, of 41 years.  Grace and Jim married in May of 1980 in Fairfield when Jim was stationed at Travis AFB. The family moved many times, allowing Grace to see several countries (England, Germany, and Japan) as well as cities including Plattsburgh, NY and Las Vegas. Grace liked to say that we were in Plattsburgh “two years two months and two days too long,” as it was extremely cold with lots of snow. The next assignment was Okinawa, Japan, where the weather was much warmer. She especially liked Japan where she was able to eat foods she had grown up with and show the children part of their roots.  After Jim retired from the USAF in 1994, and following a brief stint in North Carolina, they returned to Prosser, WA in 1995. While her husband traveled for his jobs with McDonnell Douglas and Boeing, Grace devoted time at Riverview Elementary School, helping children learn to read and speak English. Later, Grace became a teacher’s assistant for special-needs children at the Prosser’s middle school and high school. Grace enjoyed her time in Mountain Home, ID when the family relocated following her husband’s assignment with Boeing in 2013. In 2016, the family moved to Goldsboro, NC where she was able to experience country living in a southern setting. The family returned to Mountain Home in May of 2020 where they built their retirement home. Through the years, Grace kept in touch with her Fairfield roots and frequently engaged in her favorite word games with many friends. During her life, there were many changes, adjustments and transitions, but Grace’s focus was always on providing love and stability to her family. She had a love for animals, especially dogs and the family always had one or two. She also enjoyed watching the Asian channel and even got Jim interested with subtitles. Grace is survived by her husband, Jim Hayes, a 1976 Prosser graduate, and their sons, Sean and William. Grace’s Mother passed in 1978 and her father in 1988.  No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation under the care of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.