4/16/25

Jay C. Brandriet

I’ve spent a lot of time going over the impact Bill Hayes had on my life.

As he passed away yesterday, I thought about his children Robyn (Dale), Curtis, and Janica (Joe).

Also, my close friends, (his grandchildren) Chad, Derek, and Kaysi (Cody).

It was early summer, 1992. I had just turned 17.

My dad saw me kicking up my feet, and couldn’t stand the sight.

He handed me a business card for “Sports Warehouse” and said, “go see Bill Hayes!”

I showed up at the Warehouse a couple of days later. I met Mr. Hayes, the store owner.

By his side was a ferocious Chihuahua named Buddy.

Bill asked me, “you know anything about boots and waders”?

I said something stupid like, “not really. I love sports, and I write for the school newspaper.”

I drove home thinking it didn’t go well.

The next morning, I got a call from store manager Dale Smith.

He said, “How’s Friday and Saturday 930 to 630 sound?”

My dad clearly had a favor come through on this one.

MY FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF BILL

Bill Hayes was the first person I ever met, who felt like a celebrity.

If he walked into a room, you knew it.

He was charismatic.

He had presence.

Bill would stop in his tracks, look you up and down, and say something engaging and funny.

Then only to march away with a tiny dog following him, like Gene Hackman in Crimson Tide.

Did having the status of a boss help?

Sure.

More than that he had swagger, fueled by ambition and led by social skills.

Hayes didn’t just have bark, he had bite.

As employees, we had an appropriate fear of Bill.

THE FIRST TIME HE COMPLIMENTED ME

I was bringing in a cart from the parking lot after a big sale.

Bill was up on the balcony and shouted, “way to go Jaysor the razor”!

His validation was like a warm blanket of electricity.

Years later in that store, I became entitled and lazy.

In this era, I was driven to not let Mr. Hayes down.

He made me want to hustle!

A short time later Bill was the first person to start calling me “Jaybird.”

LETTING HIM DOWN

I took back a used porta potty.

Apparently, we were not supposed to take back used porta pottys.

I’m up in the office having to explain myself.

Me: “He said it was broken. He’s a great customer.”

Bill: “I don’t care if it was Jesus Christ or Joe Montana. We don’t do used toilets son.”

While inappropriate, especially by today’s standards…..the room busted up laughing.

He was using edgy humor AS my punishment.

HE WAS A SOCIAL MAGNET

Steve McCandless and Bruce Childs used to tell me stories of what a crazy good salesman Bill was.

He seemed to know a ton of athletes and Utah County folks.

Retail hot shots from across the valley would show up and want to just hang out and drink coffee with him.

His popularity among customers was almost a problem we would have to navigate as a staff.

I was getting off an exit one day. A yellow bumper sticker in front of me read “I’m friends with Bill Hayes-Midvale Utah.”

I immediately told Bill.

He lowered his glasses and shook his head implying I was wrong.

He said, “Sell something boy. Sell sell sell!”

TEN DOLLARS FOR A PENNY

Costco was next door to our now named “Sportsman’s Warehouse.”

We were there constantly for the easy to grab food.

Bill and I were headed over at the same time.

I picked up a random penny.

He stopped me while seeming impressed.

He handed me ten dollars and started giving me lessons about not looking past “small things” like that.

Hayes noted how cheap his shoes were to make another point about “not wasting.”

I’ve never left a penny on the ground since.

THE CUSTOMER LOST

Management had gone out of their way to help an angry customer, but he wasn’t satisfied. He demanded Bill look over the ledge.

Dude goes, “I’m educated and I’m going to tell everyone I know to not shop here.”

Bill said without hesitation, “It’s like sticking your finger in the ocean.”

THE GRIND

After a busy Saturday, I walked up to Bill and said, “the sounds of those cash registers feel amazing?”

His shoulders dropped and he said, “It’s a constant pain in my ass.”

I was thinking about his victory, he understood and lived the sacrifice it took to get THAT good.

A RIDE TO THE MALL

We had just closed the store. Bill needed a ride to 106th South where his wife was.

It was exciting enough taking the boss man on a freeway ride.

The next thing I know, Buddy is on my right shoulder like we’ve been best friends for years.

I was pretty nervous.

Bill was giggling, with a toothpick in his mouth.

Buddy liking me was the real seal of approval.

BEING “A BILL HAYES GUY”

In JaNece Hales Erickson’s or Shelley Astin Swain’s case, “a Bill Hayes girl.”

It was being in that circle of people that broke through Hayes intimidating exterior.

Maybe his “slight favorites”, in an unofficial way.

The people he could count on.

The ones he could be harsh back and forth with, while not making it personal.

Those that could police their own slack well.

He gave me liberties on the store loudspeaker when I lost a bad NBA bet to everyone in 1994.

He would say casual things over the microphone like, “Jaybird. Your Pizza is here. Again.”

Making me the “catwalk manager” “of our already awkward security on the balcony.

Not everyone could talk to Bill the way Jeff Back (“Jefe”) could.

I can see Hayes shaking his head in loving disgust at Ryan Zabriskie dancing in front of the cashiers, or Levi Sorenson telling some crazy story.

It was a business, but the Hayes and the Smith’s made a little store with cement floors on 7200 South, feel like family.

I used to smirk at Stephen Coffey (“Rooster”) and Paul Gill looking over the edge of the store from his office.

I became one of those people.

Ever heard the phrase “a Bill Parcells guy”?

I was a Bill Hayes guy.

HIS WIFE’S FUNERAL

I remember some things about the day the Hayes family honored their wife and mother Phyllis.

Janica gave a poised speech that’s inspired me to this day.

They played the song “Love, Me” (Collin Raye).

On a windy hill, in Lehi Utah, I let Bill know how he made a difference in my life.

I knew I had to talk to this hard man in the softest of moments.

I told him all of what I’m sharing today.

THE LAST TIME I SAW HIM

Maybe 15-17 years ago.

I saw him at the airport at six in the morning with his wife Joyce.

It’s a random, cool, memory.

We had some quality laughs and our usual sports conversation.

Was Bill a layered, complicated, even flawed person?

I only knew him on the level that I knew him.

I saw him through the eyes of youth meets a dynamic authority figure.

As he walked back towards his airline gate, he strolled with peace.

There was no fanfare.

No pictures or autographs.

It’s as if he was an average person.

Not to me.

I’m so proud to be a Bill Hayes guy!

Jay C. Brandriet