Homer Dale 'Buzz' Hayes 86 of Urbana died Wednesday, 5 August, 2015 at home.

A memorial mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 14, 2015 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 612 East Park Street, Champaign, Illinois with Rev. Fr. Joe Hogan will officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Urbana, Illinois. Military rites will be accorded. Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Hayes was born on 7 August, 1928 in Bowlegs, Oklahoma; the son of Roy and Edith Pearl Lisle Hayes.

He married Ramona Horn on December 28, 1963 in Omaha, Nebraska, she survives.

Also surviving are several nieces and nephews and he treasured them all.

He was preceded in death by four brothers and one sister.

Master Sergeant Homer D. Hayes, U.S. Air Force - retired, distinguished himself as a Master Instructor by meritorious services as Instructional Programmer Technician, Curricula Unit, Department of Aircraft Maintenance Training, United States Air Force School of Applied Aerospace Sciences, Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. During this period, Sergeant Hayes' exceptional outstanding initiative, knowledge, and professional skill contributed invaluably to the accomplishments of the Curricula Unit. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Hayes reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. His outstanding military career included duty as Crew Chief for B47 and B52 long range turbojets. Master Sergeant Hayes was also escort to President Lyndon B. Johnson during his assignment at Bergstrom Air Force Base in the 1960s, where Air Force One flew into and out of as the President traveled between Washington, D.C. and his ranch near Austin, Texas.

He was a graduate of the University of Nebraska with a degree in Business Administration and a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Urbana, the American Legion and the VFW both of Urbana. He was an avid reader and could recite verses from many books and on a variety of topics. "Jack Of All Trades," he learned to become a plumber and a carpenter and in retirement purchased several homes to "remodel" and rent in the wonderful University town of Urbana-Champaign. He also loved music and played several instruments.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, St. Patrick's Catholic Church or the Champaign County Humane Society.

Condolences may be offered at www.rennerwikoffchapel.com.