Russell L. Hay, 80, of Butler died Thursday evening at Butler Memorial Hospital with his loving family at his bedside.

He was born Feb. 8, 1929, in Clinton Township, the son of David Oliver Hay and Zora Patterson Hay.

He and his wife of 59 years, Muriel Joan Raybuck Hay, whom he married in October 1950, had seven children and raised their family in the Butler area.

Mr. Hay served in the U.S. Army for two years in Germany during the Korean War. Upon his discharge in 1953, he worked at the steel mill in Blawnox and then for Dillich's Lumber and Wise Machine Shop. From there he began to work for the Butler Memorial Hospital in the maintenance department, from which he retired after 35 years. For a short period after his retirement, he worked for the state Department of Transportation doing winter snow removal, and also assisting his sons with their excavating business.

Mr. Hay was a member of the Summit Presbyterian Church, where he served on the cemetery committee. He enjoyed playing cards, hunting when he was able, and spending time with his family.

He leaves behind his wife; three sons and three daughters, Phil Hay and his wife, Peg (Gale/Holben) of Fenelton, Dan Hay and his wife, Cindy (Etzel) of Butler, Tim Hay of Stafford, Va., Jennifer Henderson, Lisa Seybert and her husband, Tim, and Paula Hay, all of Butler. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and eight nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Drew Lorraine Hay; a sister, Betty McMahan Weirich; a brother, Lorraine O. Hay; and a nephew, David McMahan.

<B>HAY —</B> Friends of Russell L. Hay, who died Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the<B> THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME, </B>124 E. North St. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday the funeral home with the Rev. Johnathan Evans of Summit Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will follow in the Summit Cemetery.Information and private guest book are available at www.thompson-miller.com.