William Lamar Hayes (formerly William Ramsey, IIII) at his father's grave site, that of SA William Ramsey, 2008.
William Lamar Hayes (formerly William Ramsey, IIII) at his father's grave site, that of SA William Ramsey, 2008.
During the months of 2008, Retired FBI Agents conducted a nationwide inquiry to locate the resting places of those Agents killed in the line of duty. Efforts were made to ensure these sites were being taken care of.
During the inquiry to locate the resting place of SA William Ramsey, killed in the line of duty in 1938, we determined his only true son was still living but confined to a nursing home in Washington State. It was determined at the time that the son, William Ramsey, III, had taken on a adopted name of William Lamar Hayes. He was in search of his sister, Barbara, and the resting place of his biological FBI father.
Our Seattle Chapter of The Society of Former Special Agents Of The FBI took the reigns from there. Chapter chairman, Gary Pilawski said,
"The chapter’s October 30, 2008 meeting focused on the attendance by 72 year old William Lamar Hayes, the son of FBI Service Martyr William R. Ramsey killed in 1938. He was presented with a framed 1933 credential photo of his dad that he had never seen, a FBI 100th anniversary book personally signed by Director Mueller, and a plaque from chapter members noting his dad’s ultimate sacrifice for his country. He was then escorted to his father’s grave that Hayes had never located. At the gravesite, Hayes was presented with a US Flag flown over Quantico three days earlier. A memorial service followed, presided by Seattle Office chaplain Bill Tate and attended by 33 former and current agents.William Lamar Hayes previously had a stroke, has difficulty speaking and is wheelchair bound.William Lamar Hayes’ expressions and gestures showed his overwhelming appreciation of the former agents efforts throughout the country to bring closure after many years."
Hayes' father, SA William R. Ramsey, killed in the line of dutyThe inquiry also led to the finding of SA Ramsey's only daughter, Barbara, who is now married and resides on the West Coast.
Special Agent Ramsey is buried at:
Acacia Cemetery
14951 Bothell Way NE Seattle, WA 98155-7604;
located in the Rhododendron Section
of the cemetery, G10, Lot 194C, Space 2.