william r. hayes
Year of Birth:
1877
Immortal:
Yes
OwnerBreeder:
Yes
Executive Official:
Yes
Owner:
Yes
Executive:
Yes
Elected as Immortal:
1976
Year of Death:
1952
Biography:
While remembered for his many business concerns, including the presidency of the Du Quoin (Illinois) Coca-Cola Bottling Company, William R. Hayes was perhaps best known for his harness racing interests. He was a senior member of the Hayes Fair Acres Stable and president of the Du Quoin State Fair, until his death in 1952. Hayes stable housed a galaxy of stars, including Lusty Song, Pronto Don, Dudley Hanover and Mighty Fine. He and his sons Gene and Don built a harness racing dynasty in southern Illinois which grandson Bill Hayes, son of Gene, carried on.
Published in the Harness Racing Museum's 1994 book, The Immortals