BILL HAYES '84 to receive NCEA

Distinguished Graduate Award

 

"Bill is a great choice, and was an undoubtedly easy decision for the committee," said Bill Blum '88, who has co-chaired the Harold and Margaret Moser Memorial Golf Outing to benefit financial aid at Saints Peter and Paul School with Bill for the past five years.  "Not only has he helped raise over $400,000 for financial aid in that capacity," added Blum, "but Bill Hayes has served as a member of the golf committee since the 2000 outing, and over $1 million in tuition assistance has been generated during his sixteen year association with this fund raiser."

"Bill freely gives of his time, talent, and treasure," offered Frank Glowaty, "and most importantly he's not afraid to invite and strongly encourage his friends and business associates to support this cause.  As an avid golfer, he also knows what it takes to run a successful outing, and he and Bill Blum are shining examples of the caliber of student Saints Peter and Paul graduates each spring."

Golf and Saints Peter and Paul School haven't been the only recipients of Bill's servant leadership style. The graduate of Benet Academy and Purdue University, who serves as the President/CEO of Esser-Hayes Insurance Group, has also been very active at the St. Patrick 's Residence, a nursing and rehabilitation center in our community.   Bill has served on their finance committee for ten years and has been a member of their Board for five.  "My dad was my role model," said Bill.  He was active with the Boy Scouts, Illinois Benedictine University, and St. Patrick's long before there was anything like service hours or the notion of giving back to the community. "It may sound trite or like a cliché today," said Hayes, "but he and my mother instilled into me and my three brothers, Ray, Jim '76, and Tom '80, the importance of doing what one can to improve the school, parish, and community where one lived and worked."  Bill was also appointed to our Advancement Board by
Fr. Milota in 2009 and served for six years.  Among his major responsibilities was working in the area of planned giving.

Bill and his wife, Heather, have three children, two of whom (Megan, Gr. 6) and Mark (Gr. 3) are currently at Saints Peter and Paul.  Their oldest son, Michael, enjoyed his Peter and Paul experience through fifth grade and is now prospering at Washington Jr. High.  Both Bill and Heather have been instrumental in raising money for Journey's of the Heart, an adoption agency that led to their becoming parents of Michael and Megan.  Bill also serves on their board as well.  "This is a wonderful organization," commented Bill, "that has brought joy and happiness to many young families."

A business major at Purdue, Bill's business and financial acumen has also led to him becoming a founding member of the First Community Financial Bank Board of Directors.  In addition, he also serves as an Illinois representative for agents on the Board of the Westfield Insurance Corporation.

In recognition of his ongoing dedication to and support of our school's mission, as well as his successful professional career, and especially for his compassion for and involvement in numerous worthy local causes, Saints Peter and Paul School is happy to honor him with this prestigious award.