Kenneth Wayne Hayes

Born on May 18, 1934 in the mountains of East Tennessee, Ken was the son of William Kermit and Mary Greene Hayes and the brother Jolene, Evelyn, Esther, Jim, and Florence.

As a teenager, the family relocated to Wilkes County. After graduating from high school, Ken joined the United States Navy where he served in the Mediterranean during the Korean War. Upon his return, he married his sweetheart, Edna Mae Baity, and they later welcomed two sons.

Ken spent most of his career with AT&T and after retirement, enjoyed traveling, fishing, hiking, raising cattle, building a cabin in the NC mountains, and spending time with family. As a Christian man of faith, he frequently spoke of being in awe of all of God’s creations. He spent many hours reflecting on the beauty around him and expressing his feelings through poetry. A storyteller by nature, Ken loved to share his observations and entertain listeners with memories from childhood, his time in the Navy, and the many adventures he enjoyed throughout his life.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Jolene, Evelyn, Florence, and Jim, as well as Edna Mae, his beloved wife of 34 years and the mother of his children. He spent many happy years with his second wife, Delores “Doe” Horton. In later years he found happiness with Sarah Jane Vaught Hayes who also preceded him in death.

Ken is survived by his sons, Michael (Rhonda) and Gary (Kimberly), and a stepson, Jeffrey Chambers. He is also survived by grandsons, Tyler (Blair) and Zachary Hayes, granddaughter, Sarah Hayes and a great granddaughter, Hadley Hayes.

The funeral service will be on Friday, August 23rd at 11 a.m. at the Vogler Funeral & Cremations at Forsyth Memorial Park with a light lunch and visitation to follow.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of Trellis Supportive Care and Clemmons Village for the assistance and care provided to Ken and his family.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Trellis or to an animal rescue, sanctuary, shelter or humane society would honor Ken’s memory in a way that would have been meaningful to him.