SHEILA HAYES WILLIS OBITUARY

Sheila Hayes Willis, 68, of Colorado Springs passed away peacefully on Sunday,

October 19th, 2025 at Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care Facility with her sister

Sharon Hayes Baker and her friend and caregiver, Tina Randall by her side. Sheila was

born on August 25, 1957 to the late DA and Wilma Jean (Rice) Hayes. She was raised

in Bridgeton, New Jersey and attended Bridgeton Public Schools, however she also

spent time growing up in Bybee Tennessee, which she felt was her home. She shared

fond memories of her and her sister Shirley’s early years playing in the yard and being

chased by geese up a tree and calling out to their mom for help; and going to her

beloved Aunt Ora’s house for Sunday dinner and walking with their dad carrying a metal

bucket to get fresh water from the nearby stream.

Sheila was preceded in death by her parents DA and Wilma Hayes, half-brother Butch

Penley and half-sister Diane Meadows. Sheila is survived by her four children, Katina

Hayes, Ryan Hayes, Kristy Maples (husband Matt) and Joshua Willis of Colorado

Springs and ten grandchildren, Katai Hayes, Izabel Maples, Aiden Maples, Nathaniel

Hayes, Merry Emmons, Aubriella Hayes, Jayson Willis, Tyce Willis, Damon Willis and

Donnivyn Willis, Sisters Shirley Hayes Ruiz of California, Sharon Hayes Baker of

Virginia, Brother Charles Hayes of New Jersey, Half-sister Debbie Doucet of Oklahoma,

Half-sister Donna McLamb and Half-brother Jimmy Penley of North Carolina and many

beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and family friends.

Sheila moved to Colorado Springs in 1989 and attended Pikes Peak Community

College. She was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church and would often bring

her grandsons Katai and Aiden with her, which was very special to her. Sheila was an

excellent cook and enjoyed cooking and baking for her family and friends. She loved

soul food, 70’s body and soul and R&B music. One of Sheila’s last jobs was working in

the bakery on Peterson Air Force Base which she enjoyed. However, she struggled

with health issues for many years being misdiagnosed with MS which made it difficult for

her to continue to work.

Sheila recently celebrated her 68th Birthday at home with her family and friends, who

went all out for her. She commented that it was one of the happiest and best days that

she had in a long time. Sheila was fiercely loyal and protective of her friends and family

members throughout her life. She was a fighter and fought so hard against cancer for

years, so she could be there for her family. She loved her children and adored her

grandchildren with all of her heart.

The family would like to thank her caregiver, Tina Randall, who helped care for Sheila

and who became good friends with her and Juanita Lewis for her support and

companionship. We would also like to thank Sara, Mikala and Molly at Pikes Peak

Hospice and Palliative care for the care and kindness they gave to Sheila.