James Edwin Hays, age 73 of Moncure, died Wednesday (6/22/2016) at First Health Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst. He was born on July 1, 1942, son of the late Ernest Edwin Hays and Dorothy Cary Hays. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Nancy Hays and daughter Debbie Cassidy. He was a Veteran of the United States Navy where he served on a submarine. Funeral services will be conducted at 3pm Sunday at the Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Broadway with Rev. Scott Yow officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Broadway Town Cemetery. Surviving are his wife Suzanne Smith Hays of the home; Daughters Wanda Whitehouse Sweat (Danny) of Sanford, NC, Brenda Whitehouse Mason (Bill) of Las Vegas, NV, Amanda Cox (Daniel Garner) of Moncure, NC and Kelsey Bahnsen of Sanford, NC; Sons Kevin E. Whitehouse (Robyn Clark) of Broadway, NC and Aric Hays of Texas; Sister Linda Sue Stauffer, Fifteen grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 6-8pm Saturday evening at the Smith Funeral Home in Broadway. Online condolences can be made at www.smithfuneralhomebroadway.com Arrangements are by the Smith Funeral Home of Broadway.