My grandfather, William B. Leland purchased the former Stephenson Funeral Home in 1952 and renamed it Leland Funeral Home. Bill was an organist/pianist before becoming a licensed funeral director. Upon his death in 1962, Bill’s son-in-law, Thomas H. Hays Sr. took over. Following graduation from New England Institute in Boston, Tom Sr. ran the business from 1962 until his retirement in 1995. His son, Thomas H. Hays III, followed in his father’s footsteps, graduating from N.E.I, and joining the family business in 1987. In 2000, the firm changed its name to Hays Funeral Home.