Forrest Wayne Hails, 86, a native of Centralia, Ill. and resident of Daphne, died Thursday, April 25, 2013 at the W.F. Green State Veterans Home in Bay Minette.
Mr. Hails was a fireman first class in the U.S. Navy during WWII.
He was employed as an engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad, and was associated with the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad where he drove the steam engine.
Forrest also owned with his brother a carpet installing business in San Fernando Valley, Calif. and was a real estate broker in Oakhurst, Calif.
He had been a resident of Daphne for the past 12 years, and previously lived in Van Nuys, Calif. 11 years and Oakhurst, Calif. for 32 years.
He had served as president of the Sierra Kiwanis Club, and was a 32-year member of the Oakhurst Lodge of F&AM. He was currently a member of the Spanish Fort Presbyterian Church.
Forrest was preceded in death by two sons, Michael Wayne Hails and Douglas Allen Hails; sisters, Marilyn and Carol Ann; and brothers, Myron and Eugene.
He is survived by his wife of almost 55 years, Joan S. Hails; a niece, Pamela Hails Sams, Redding, Calif.; and nephews, Steven Hails of Redding and Donald Hails of Flint, Mich.
Full military services and inurnment will take place on Tuesday, April 30, 2013, at 2 p.m., at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort.
Condolences for the family may be made at hughesfh.com.
Arrangements by Hughes Funeral Home & Crematory, Daphne.
