Matthew Carl Hays

Matthew Carl Hays, 27, formerly of the Wood River Valley, died in a car crash in Chino, Calif., on Saturday, June 27, 2009. Matt lived a full and happy life in the short time on this earth. He grew up in the Wood River Valley since the age of 12. He graduated from Silver Creek Alternative School in 1999. He then moved with his friend to California and attended Chico State University for a short time. Matt loved the outdoors. When he was in his teens, he would fill up a backpack and disappear into the mountains for days. He always made people laugh. Matt recently reunited with his birth father, and the two were developing an unbelievable miracle relationship. Matt became very ill six months ago with a rare illness called Still's Disease, which left him in constant pain. After being clean and sober for more than two years, he had a short relapse, which ultimately caused him to make a bad decision to get into a car with a drunk driver. This resulted in the crash that took his life. Matt leaves behind his mother, Roberta Blodgett of Hailey; his adopted father, Daryl Hays of Buhl; his biological father, Randy Willyard and stepmother, Robin Willyard of Battle Mountain, Nev.; brother, Andrew and sister, Allecia from Torrance, Calif.; brother, Brad from Oregon; sister, Amanda of California; and many aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins and friends from everywhere. He will deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Visitation is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 6, at Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Road in Twin Falls. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, at the Filer Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls.