Eugene “Duck” Hayes, 85, died August 5, 2018.

A native of the Athens area, he was a son of the late Oda Hiram Hayes and Ola Blanche Toney Hayes and was preceded in death by his sister, Olivia Wills.

Mr. Hayes proudly served his country on board the USS Epperson in the United States Navy. He retired from the Athens-Clarke County Fire Department as Battalion Chief, after thirty-three years of dedicated service. He was a longtime member of the Crossroads Church and enjoyed playing golf and being outdoors.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at 3:00 PM at the chapel of Lord and Stephens, EAST. Interment will follow with military honors at Oconee Hill Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife (married May 3, 1964), Elizabeth Martin Hayes; two daughters, Gina (Wil) Seymour of Athens and Lori (John) Pethel of Colbert; grandchildren, Chandler Pethel and Ben Pethel; sister-in-law, Frances Williams of Royston.

The family will receive friends Wednesday from 1:30 until 3:00 PM at the funeral home.

Lord and Stephens, EAST, is in charge of arrangements.