The Reverend Doctor Billy Gene Hahs, 89, of Saint Louis, Missouri passed away at 8:21 P.M. June 18, 2017 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Illinois. He was born November 14, 1927 in Sedgewickville, Missouri to parents Ora and Minnie (Statler) Hahs. He married Elouise James on December 26, 1944 at the United Methodist Church in Barlow, Kentucky.
Dr. Hahs is survived by his beloved wife of 72 years, Elouise Hahs of Saint Louis, Missouri; two sons, Billy Gene Hahs, Jr. and wife Sharon of Saint Louis, Missouri and James Lynn Hahs and wife Donna of Havana, Illinois; seven grandchildren, Cara and husband Dan, Ona and husband Daniel, Sarah and husband Charles, Nathan, Seth and wife Leslie, Jonathan and wife Andrea, and Joseph and wife Katie; fourteen great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and one sister, Lewanna Weiss and husband Dale of Columbia, Missouri.
Dr. Hahs was preceded in death by his parents; six sisters, Marie, Ailene, Lorraine, Clodine, Pauline, and Viola; and three brothers, Raymond, Gene, and Lindell.
Dr. Hahs was a United Methodist Pastor for over sixty years, including five years as District Superintendent. He organized and founded the Aldersgate Federal Credit Union and served as its President for over forty years. In the former Southern Illinois Conference he served on all major boards and committees, as well as chairing many. Dr. Hahs pastored many churches in Southern Illinois and concluded his active ministry at First United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon, where he served for fifteen years. By example and advocacy, Dr. Hahs supported education. The delight of his life was his family. He was a master woodworker, and he loved spending time at the old family farm in Southeast Missouri. His loving Christian spirit permeated everything he did. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Visitation: 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at First United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Funeral Service: 11:00 A.M. Thursday, June 22, 2017 at First United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon, Illinois with the Reverend Doctor Jame Hahs and Reverend Victor Long officiating. Entombment: Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn, Illinois. Memorials: Capital Campaign Building Fund or Angels on Assignment.