Paul Hayhurst, 88, of Bunner Ridge Community, passed away at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital on May 28, 2019.
He was born in Marion County on June 6, 1930, a son of Blaine and Martha (Hawkins) Hayhurst.
Paul graduated from East Fairmont High School and completed several college courses in the areas of business, construction and genealogy.
He retired form Alcan Rolled Products, in Fairmont, after 42 years. He was the CEO of Mountainside Industries Inc. and Hayhurst Rentals LLC.
Paul was instrumental in the founding and development of the West Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Inc., located in Fairmont, and was elected the first president, a position he held for many years.
He was the author of Music on the Ridge: The Roots of the West Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which detailed the growth and development of the organization to the great music complex of today.
Paul was also a founding member of the West Virginia Music Hall, in Charleston, and had membership at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, in Nashville.
Paul was a member of various historical and genealogical organizations, especially the Welcome Society of Pennsylvania. He was the author of the Hayhurst Family History and Genealogy, tracing the family back to the year 1086 in England.
He attended Mt. Sharon Free Methodist Church.
Paul is survived by his daughter, Kathy Hayhurst, of Parkersburg; brother and sister-in-law, Lawrence and Mary Neel; brother-in-law, Rex Lake; and several very special nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Edith (Snyder) Hayhurst in 2008; sister-in-law, Janice Lake; and brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Jane Hayhurst.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 5455 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43214.
Family and friends may call at Carpenter and Ford Funeral Home, 209 Merchant St., Fairmont, from 4-8 p.m. Friday, and from 10 a.m. Saturday, June 1, until the 11 a.m. services with Pastor Rex Musgrove officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery.
Condolences: carpenterandford.com
