Nancy C. Hay

CHANA, IL ~ Nancy C. Hay, 79, passed away peacefully after a day with her family on Friday, August 2, 2024, at Agrace Hospice Care center of Janesville, WI. She was born in Rockford, IL on August 7, 1944, the daughter of Leonard & Gladys (Drager) Wills. She grew up near Davis Junction, IL, on an active farm including many horses, attending school in Stillman Valley, graduating from Stillman Valley High school in 1962. Four years after graduating, she married the love of her life William “Bill” Hay Sr. on December 16, 1966, at the Chana United Methodist Church. She worked at Rockford Screw Products, Oregon Savings & Loan, Pinerock Township (with her husband), the Chana grain elevator, and finally retired from Woods Brothers of Oregon. She was a devoted member of the Chana United Methodist Church and was a member of the United Methodist Women. She was very active in several different organizations a few of which include the Chana Mother’s Club, USS Enterprise CV-6 association that her husband was president of for several years, and several horse-riding clubs of northern Illinois like ‘Rock ‘n’ Ride Riders. Beyond her active community involvement, she loved to read and in her younger years, she loved to raise and train horses. 

Nancy is preceded in death by her parents Leonard & Gladys, husband Bill, brothers Kenneth and Glenn Wills, Sister Doris Dorn, infant sister Rosemary, and step-daughter Tommi Boeder. She is survived and missed dearly by her loving family which include her son William (Mindi) Hay, Jr. of Janesville, WI; step-daughters Grace (Bob Short) Neie of San Antonio, TX and Diana Dillman of Rockford, IL; grandchildren Megan Hay, Andy Hay, Bailey Demler, Andrew Dillman, Juli (Tom) Melanson, Nick (Gayla) Maddern; great-grandchildren Amber Maddern, Sean Dillman, Alexander Melanson; numerous beloved nieces and nephews; and special friend Ed Mowry. 

Nancy’s family would like to extend a very special thank you to Ed Mowry, the ladies of the Chana Church, the Chana and Pinerock communities, the Wills family, the Dillman family, the Neie family, the Hay Family and the amazing staff of Agrace Hospice Care Center of Rock Co. WI. 

A memorial service honoring Nancy has been scheduled for Saturday, August 10, 2024, at the Chana United Methodist Church of Chana, IL beginning at 3:00 pm with Pastor Josh Brown presiding. Visitation hours will take place prior to the service starting at 1:00 PM and going until the service time at 3:00 PM at the Chana Church. Immediately following the services Nancy will be laid to rest next to her husband at Washington Grove Cemetery of Chana, IL. In Lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Agrace Hospice of Rock Co. WI. volunteers group.