Rev. James R. Hayes

Rev. James R. Hayes, 68 of Hillsboro Passed away Sept. 4, 2022 at Hillsboro Area Hospital.

Pastor James R. Hayes was born in Hillsboro on July 28, 1954 to Andrew Hayes, Jr. and Mary Catherine (Smith) Hayes. His mother died when he was very young, and he was raised by his grandparents and his father and stepmother

He attended Burbank Elementary School, Hillsboro Junior High School and graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1972. He enjoyed stock car racing and fishing.

He remained in Hillsboro his entire life. He had worked in many different fields, including cable line work, coal mining and all aspects of construction work. He and his wife co-owned and operated International Filter Manufacturing Company in Litchfield. He owned numerous rental properties in Hillsboro that he maintained. He was caretaker of Bluff Cemetery in Hillsboro.

He became deacon of St. James Baptist Church on April 17, 1994 and served as Deacon for 12 years under the leadership of Rev. Abraham Brown. On June 4, 2006, he was ordained as Pastor of St. James Baptist Church. He serviced the church in every capacity, from pastor and spiritual leader to mowing the grass, shoveling snow, emptying trash and numerous remodeling jobs. Under his leadership, St. James had purchased property adjacent to the church, completed many major remodeling jobs within the church and also the roof and paved the parking lot.

He refused to take a salary from the church but continuously gave monetarily, physically emotionally and mentally. Since becoming pastor, he had performed many wedding ceremonies and funeral services for people of all denominations, all of which he did not accept payment for or donated the payment to the church.

He supported many mission projects, both local and afar. He was instrumental in the success of the all-denominational tent revival held in 2013 at the Hillsboro Lake. He paid for people’s medicines, rent, power and water bills, bought groceries, performed home remodeling projects for the less fortunate, counseled the sick and dying and their families. He had brought many of his friends to Christ.

He married Cecilia M. Ewing on November 23, 1993; she preceded him in death on May 4, 2022.

He is survived by one daughter Nicole Hayes of Hillsboro, siblings Harold (Cheryl) Hayes of Peoria, Jeannette Hayes Atcherson of Springfield and Linda (Aaron) Dickerson of Springfield, Aunt Susan Pollard Hayes of Los Angles CA., Aunt Margarete Sydnor of Peoria, many Nieces and Nephews, great Nieces and great Nephews, cousins and friends and one special great nephew Ashahia Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Cecilia and one brother Andrew J. Hayes III and one sister Caroline “Becky” A. Fortune.

Funeral services will be Sept. 15, 2022 at 11:00 AM St. James Baptist Church in Hillsboro with Rev. Joe Hill officiating.

Visitation will be Sept 15, 2022 from 10:00 AM until service time.

Burial will be in Bluff Cemetery in Hillsboro

Memorials can be directed to St. James Baptist Church

Condolences can be left at WWW.houghfuneralhome.com

Hough & Sons Funeral Home in Hillsboro is in charge of arrangements.