Donald Lee Hay

Donald Lee Hay August 24, 1938 October 25, 2014 Donald Lee Hay, 76, of Waco, Texas, passed away on Saturday, October 25, 2014. Don's endless capacity to love God and to love and serve others will be greatly missed. Following a private graveside burial, a Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 31, at First Baptist Church, Waco. Visitation will be 6:00 8:00 p.m., Thursday, October 30, at Wilkirson Hatch Bailey Funeral Home Garden Room. Don was born August 24, 1938, in Marlin, Texas, to Voil Lee and Eunice Irene Hay. In the 4th grade, Don's family moved to Houston, and there he attended Houston public schools. At Reagan High School, Don met Beverly June Reeves, and they had their first date when she was 15 and he was 16. After graduation from Reagan, Don attended Baylor University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1960. That summer, Don and Beverly were married at West 14th Avenue Baptist Church in Houston. In the fall, Don attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and later, after a move back to Waco, he began his work on a Master of Arts in Psychology at Baylor. He received his degree in 1967. Don spent the vast majority of his professional career at Plantation Foods as the Personnel Director, Director of Human Resources, and Vice President of Human Resources. He also worked as a Juvenile Probation Officer for Jefferson County and as the Administrative Director of the Baylor University Health Services Center, as well as coordinator of safety and training within Cargill Turkey Plants. In addition, Don had brief work experiences at Hobbs Bonded Fibers and Heart of Texas Workforce Commission. Outside of his professional career, Don tirelessly gave of his time and talents to his community and to his church, family, and friends. Don was a Trustee for the McLennan Community College Board of Trustees for over 24 years, serving as Chairman for 10 years, and retiring only a couple of months before his death. Prior to that time, Don served on the Connally I.S.D. Board of Trustees from 1975 to 1994, and held offices of President, Vice President, and Secretary of the Board. Don also taught college-credit, continuing-education, and SHRM certification courses throughout the years. Other professional and community service included: The Society for Human Resources Management SHRM, American Society for Training and Development ASTD, Rotary International, Lake Brazos Rotary Club, American Heart Association, and Heart of Texas Council of Governments Don was an ordained minister and a deacon at First Baptist Church, Waco. As a member since 1967, Don's service included Personnel Committee member, Chair of the Personnel Committee, Chair of the Deacons, and a Sunday School teacher. Don had a love for sports and officiated football and basketball for many years, starting in 1961. He was a member of the Waco SBOA Chapter, as well as the Waco SFOA Chapter. In 1978, Don became the timekeeper for Baylor basketball home games and then, also the 25-second clock operator for Baylor football home games. He served in these positions for decades. Don is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Dr. Beverly J. Hay. He is also survived by his three daughters and five grandchildren, Melissa Ishio and husband, Dr. Yoshito Ishio, and their sons Yoshiya Joshua and Yoshio Justice, of Japan and Waco; Sharla Garcia and husband, Felipe Garcia, and their daughter Aleena Louise of Waco; and Kristin Louise-Hay O'Neal and husband, Jack Franklin O'Neal, and their sons, Jacob Lee and Gavin West of Ballwin, Missouri. Don Hay invested his life in education and in his community because he believed in opportunity for all, and he saw McLennan Community College as a place of hope. To honor his memory, Don would be pleased for contributions to be made to the Don Hay Memorial Scholarship Fund at the MCC Foundation, 1400 College Drive, Waco, TX 76708. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WHBfamily.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey