Lewis Bays,

Lewis William Bays , age 86, of Cleveland , died on Sunday July 05, 2009 at the Indywood Estates in Cleveland , MS . He was born on October 14, 1922 to Lewis and Maude (Turner) Bays in Skene , MS . Mr. Bays attended Skene Schools and then Delta State University until he was called to serve our country as a radar instructor with the US Army during WW II. Upon returning home he received his master degree from University of Mississippi . Mr. Bays taught at Charleston High School from 1947 to 1952 and then Cleveland High School from 1953-1955. He was then employed by the Mississippi State Game and Fish Commission as a wildlife biologist. In 1986 he retired as Director of the Game and Fish Commission. He was a strong advocate for public hunting lands and very instrumental in establishing the Malmaison Waterfowl Management Area. He also pioneered the "Green Timber Reservoirs". He was a member of the Duck Call Hall of fame in Stuttgart AR for his development of a unique wood duck call known as "Bays Call". After retirement he worked as a consultant for Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain GA where he designed and developed their water fowl management program. Mr. Bays was a former secretary of the Mississippi Flyway Council for 15 years. In 1972 he received the national Wildlife Conservation Award. He was also Wildlife Specialist with Delta Wildlife Foundation. Mr. Bays community involvement included being a Charter Member of Immanuel Baptist Church and a member of the American Legion where he was one of the financial officers for many years. Mr. Bays was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 62 years Evelyn Land Bays and sister Mary Euginia Martin. Visitation will be held Wednesday 07/08/2009 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM at the Cleveland Funeral Home in Cleveland. Family will receive friends at the Bays residence at 508 University St . Funeral Services will be held Wednesday 07/08/2009 2:00 PM at Cleveland Funeral Home . Burial will be at the New Cleveland Cemetery. Rev. Jimmy Breland will officiate the services. Mr Bays is survived by 2 Sons, Lewis William "Bill" Bays , Jr. of Ruleville, MS. Benjamin Land Bays of Houston , TX . Sister, Margery B. Yeager of Skene , MS . 2 Granddaughters, Vanessa Bays of Dallas , TX , Eryn Bays of Oxford , MS . Grandson, William "Billy" Bays of Ruleville , MS and a host of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Bob Yeager, Jerry Junkin, Mark Williams, Ralph Morrow, Ron Hill and Danny White. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bobby Lilly, Phillip Land, Grover Dear, Doug Dear, Harry Howarth, James Marquis, and Trenton Lamastus. Services arrangements are being handled by Cleveland Funeral Home.