Music Teacher Killed in Sandy Springs Laid to Rest

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — The elementary school music teacher stabbed to death a week before Christmas in Sandy Springs was laid to rest Tuesday in Kentucky.

The funeral service for William "Bill" Haynes, 53, was held at 11 a.m. Dec. 27 at J.C. Kirby Funeral Chapel in Bowling Green, Kentucky, his obituary states.

Haynes' family received friends Monday and early Tuesday morning at the funeral home.

The Sandy Springs resident was found stabbed to death just after 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 at Extra Space Storage, which is at 6780 Roswell Road.

Haynes was a teacher at E. Rivers Elementary School in Atlanta and the conductor of the Alpharetta City Band, an adult program organized by the city's Recreation and Parks Department.

Justin Paul Hess, 31, has been charged with killing Haynes. He's also been charged with murdering his mother hours earlier in neighboring Cobb County, police have previously told Patch.

According to his obituary, Haynes was born in Warren County, Kentucky, and spent his early professional career directing high school bands: Ohio County High School and Greenville High School Band, both in Kentucky; Hardaway High School in Columbus; and Centennial High School in Roswell, where he was the founding band director.

After leaving Centennial, he went to work as band director at Creek View Elementary School and continued his career at E. Rivers Elementary School.

"Music was Bill's passion and he loved sharing it with others," his obituary reads. "No matter the need, Bill was always ready to help his friends and co-workers. Bill is remembered for his giving spirit and generous soul. He helped anyone with anything: with computer problems (he was quite a "techie"), helping with music (playing in their concert bands and orchestras to help 'fill in' during school musicals and concerts) and any friend in need however he could help."

The teacher was also "blissfully" happy in his relationship with Kiki Yongshuai Lai, and they enjoyed traveling, movies, shopping and eating authentic Chinese cuisine.

Haynes is preceded in death by father, Charles Robert Haynes; his maternal grandparents, Anna Sears White Rowlison and William Ralph White; his paternal grandparents, Nova Dalton Haynes and Eldridge Earl Haynes; and his paternal aunt and uncle Doris (Willard) Haynes Edgar.

He is survived by Yongshuai Lai and her son, La Wei; mother, Kay White; sister, Debra (Dave) Cross; niece, Bailey Cross and nephew, Chas Cross; his stepbrother, Tom (Valerie) Zoretic; cousins, Kathy (Bruce) Kerr and Billy (Sherry) Edgar; his maternal aunt and uncle, Ruthanne (Larry) Hughes; and cousins, Andy (Heather) Hughes and Eric (Angela) Hughes; and a very special aunt, Marcella (Howard) Abbott.

A product of Bowling Green City Schools, his family has established a scholarship program in Haynes' name to purchase beginner horns for students in that system.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Bill Haynes Memorial Horn Fund at American Bank and Trust, 1302 Scottsville Road, P.O. Box 688, Bowling Green, KY 42102-0688.

You can read more about Haynes' life by clicking here.

Image via Atlanta Public Schools