Scott Hay

Scott Derald Hay was born in Ortonville, Minnesota on January 16, 1957 to Margaret and Derald Hay. He passed away in Abilene, Texas on September 5, 2026 at the age of 69 after a three and a half year battle with cancer.

Scott grew up on a farm in rural northeast South Dakota. His family moved to rural Milbank his sophomore year of high school. At Milbank High School, he met the love of his life, Cindy Mikkelson.

After high school, Scott attended the Air Force Academy from 1975 – 1979 and was a member of Squadron 22, Tarantulas where he made many lasting friendships. After his graduation, Scott and Cindy were married on June 2, 1979, and their Air Force life quickly began. Scott and Cindy moved to Enid, Oklahoma in July 1979 where Scott went to pilot training at Vance Air Force Base. Following pilot training, he was assigned to the B-52 at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. During his first tour in Grand Forks, their first three sons, Craig, Tony, and Chris, were born. In 1985, Scott was chosen to be the first B-1 scheduler when it came online, and the Hay family moved to Abilene, Texas where Scott was stationed at Dyess Air Force Base. After a two and a half year stay at Dyess, he was transferred back to Grand Forks now flying as a pilot of the B-1. During this second tour in Grand Forks, their fourth son, Jeff, was born. In 1989, the Air Force decided to transfer Scott back to the B-1 Schoolhouse at Dyess in Abilene, Texas, and the Hay family has resided in Texas ever since. 

In August of 1992, Scott separated from the Air Force and began working for Todd Engineering in Abilene as a civil engineer. Later, they merged with Enprotec, Hibbs & Todd Engineering where he became a partner until he retired in July of 2023.

Scott had a strong faith in his Lord Jesus Christ and modeled that faith for his family every day. He was a man of high integrity and was fiercely loyal to his family and friends. Scott loved hunting, sports, being at the lake, and spending time with his beloved grandkids. His family was his pride and joy.

Scott is survived by his wife of 47 years, Cindy. He is also survived by his sons, Craig (Lacy) of Nacogdoches, Tony (Julie) of Abilene, Chris (Kylee) of Granbury, and Jeff ( Bailey )of Abilene, plus his wonderful grandchildren, Callie, Harper, Logan, Drew, Connor, Landry, Henry, and Dottie. 

In addition, he is survived by his two brothers, Kirby ( Paulette) of Aberdeen, South Dakota and Todd (Judy) of Montevideo, Minnesota, and one brother-in-law, Dan Mikkelson (Tammy) of Milbank, South Dakota. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless friends from far and wide who considered him as a brother. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Derald and Margaret Hay and his in-laws Wayne (Bud) and Janet Mikkelson. 

A funeral service will be held Monday September 14th at 11:00 am in the sanctuary of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church with a graveside service to follow at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene at 1:00 pm.  A visitation with the family will be held Sunday evening the 13th from 4-6 pm at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St.

In lieu of flowers, send memorials to:
Next 70 – Pioneer Drive Baptist Church 701 S Pioneer Abilene, TX 79605
Hendric Hospice Care PO Box 1922 Abilene, TX 79604-1922
Air Force Academy Foundation 3116 Academy Dr USAF Academy, CO 80840 

The arrangements have been entrusted to Piersall Funeral Directors- Abilene, Texas.