John "J.B." William Hays

Services celebrating the life of J.B. will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025 at the Presbyterian Church in Torrington, WY. J.B. was born on March 13, 1948, at Goshen County Hospital to James and Mollie (Garrett) Hays of Torrington. J.B. was the only child of the couple, and he was quite an accomplished in both academics and athletics. He even earned the best all-around athlete in his Torrington High School graduating class of 1966. J.B. earned appointments to several military academies and a full-ride football scholarship to the University of Wyoming. J.B. chose to accept the appointment to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO., where he also played catcher on their baseball team. However, after a year of service J.B. chose a different path. J.B. finished his Bachelors of Science degree in Earth Science at Chadron State College in Chadron, NE. J.B. also earned a temporary teaching certificate. After college at Chadron State, J.B. married Nancy Cunnigham of Guernsey, WY., and the couple both taught at the Prairie Center Country School where J.B. also acted as principal of the small school. After a year, J.B. and Nancy moved to Tucson, AZ., where J.B worked on a Master’s Degree at the University of Arizona. However, the growing family had to move back to Wyoming before J.B. was able to finish his degree. J.B. began a career of selling insurance in Torrington. That career moved the family to Cheyenne for an eight-year period before returning to Torrington. J.B. eventually left the insurance field and held several different positions before serving as a window clerk at the Torrington Post Office where he retired after several years of service. J.B. held his family at the center of everything he did. He enjoyed sports, music, travel and spending any time he could with the ones he loved. He was involved in the community by refereeing junior high and high school sports throughout the valley and beyond. J.B. was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church, The Torrington Volunteer Fire Department, Masonic Lodge #29 and The Sugar Valley Singers. J.B. served his church as both a deacon and an elder, and he coached several sports teams for his sons. J.B. served as an advisor for Max Burk Chapter Order of DeMolay. J.B. served three terms as the Master of Torrington Lodge #29, and he served one term on the Torrington City Council. J.B.’s spirit may have passed, but his infectious dry sense of humor lives on in the community and the ones he loved. J.B. is survived by his wife, Nancy, of Torrington, his children John, Mike (Janel) and Stacey Hays all of Cheyenne, WY., and his granddaughter Morgan O’Neill of Hastings, NE. Donations may be made to the First Wyoming United Presbyterian Church, or Wagging Tails Animal Shelter.

John "J.B." William Hays

March 13, 1948 - October 11, 2025