Billie Evelyn (Smith) Hayes, 86, died on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2005, at her daughter's home in Indian River, Mich.

She was born on Christmas Day 1918 to William and Grace Smith in Piggott.

Mrs. Hayes grew up with one sister and three brothers, moving to Flint, Mich., after graduating from Piggott High School in 1935. She worked at the Willow Run Bomber Plant until St. Patrick's Day 1945 when she married the love of her life, Larry. They moved to Gaylord and operated a restaurant famous for her chicken dinners. They built the Hayes Motel (now the Friendship Shelter), which she operated after Larry's death in 1966 until selling it in 1972.

She was a life member of the Eagles Auxiliary Number 1825 Arie, RSVP Friends for Life and Otsego Memorial Hospital.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Grace Smith; husband, Larry Hayes; brother, William Smith; a sister and brother-in-law Louise and Henry Robinson; a sister-in-law, Gloria Smith; nephews, Jerry Lee Robinson, Jackie Robinson, Michael Smith and Bill Dubenion; and her beloved canine companion, Molly.

Survivors include her children, Pamela Hayes of Gaylord, Mich., Linda (Terry) Wiseley of Indian River, Mich., Norman (Mary) Hayes of Elk Rapids, Mich., and Larry (Connie) Hayes of Gaylord, Mich.; grandchildren, Melissa (Kevin) Olds of Virginia Beach, Va., Christina Wishart of Los Angeles, Calif., Philip, Natalie and Nicole Hayes of Elk Rapids, Mich., Larry (Lisa) Hayes of Gaylord, Mich., Shelley (Fred) Blankenship of Alpena, Mich., David (LaTonya) Hayes of Flushing, Mich., Kim (Robb) Pickard of Middleville, Mich., and Corey Wiseley of South Haven, Mich.; great-grandchildren, Cameron, Corey, Caitlin and Caleb Blankenship, Jordan Hayes, Brendan, Booklin and Justin Hayes, Michael and Sarah Wiseley, and Beau Pickard.

She is also survived by her brothers, Ernest Smith of Lake Fenton, Mich., and Robert (Clara) Smith of Summerfield, Fla.; sister-in-law, Peggy Smith of Louisville, Ky.; nieces and nephews, Jim (Fran) Robinson, Larry (Shannon) Robinson, Sandy (Jacob Allen) Green, Bill Smith, Becky Debenion, Nancy (Wally) Oyler, Mark Smith, Marsha (Mark) Engelbrecht, Rachel (Jay) Kinney; several great-grandnieces and nephews, special friends, Bill and Dona Wishart, and many life-long friends from Gaylord.

As were her wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005, at the Nelson Funeral Home in Gaylord, Mich.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Hayes name to either Friends for Life (a non-profit group supporting homeless animals) or Hospice of Michigan through Nelson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.

Nelson Funeral Home of Gaylord, Mich., is in charge of the arrangements.