William Lee (Bull) Hayes

William Lee (Bull) Hayes was born and raised in Fayetteville. He attended segregated schools from grades one through nine. In 1955, Bull enrolled at Fayetteville High School as a sophomore and was the first African-American athlete to play at the Fayetteville High School level in Arkansas. He became a celebrity with his powerful nickname “Bull” which he received during his days as a caddy at Fayetteville Country Club. The name stuck after he became a smash mouth fullback for the football team. He was also a kicker for the Bulldogs. He started on the 1957 undefeated team, a group that out scored their opponents 269-33. He was named All-District.

Bull received an athletic scholarship to the University of Nebraska. After one good year at Nebraska, he transferred to Joplin Junior College and finished his athletic career at Arkansas AM&N. After graduation, he was hired as executive director go the Boys Club in Topeka, Kansas and held that position until his death at the age of 36. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, two sons, Sydney and Shannon, and sisters, Gloria Cravens and Charlette Hayes.

Bull was a pioneer. He was a hero not only for his accomplishments on the football field, which won the admiration of his teammates, schoolmates, and the citizens of Northwest Arkansas, but also for his role in the integration of high school sports in our state. His example stood in contract to the other events in Arkansas and the nation during those difficult times.