We lost the rock of our family, Kenneth Wayne Hayes, December 30th, due to an ongoing illness that he could not continue fighting.
Kenneth, also known to his friends as “Biscuit”, graduated from William James High School in 1965. During his time as a Colonel, he excelled in football and baseball. He received letters of interest from the University of Tennessee and the Chicago Cubs. In later years, he played in men’s league fast pitch softball on teams including George Jones and Tammy Wynette, and traveled in 1976 to Allentown, PA with Danny Evans team -The Shell Oilers – to play in the national softball tournament.
His greatest hobby for the past 25 years was competition marksmanship. He was a skilled marksman and shot using custom barrels that he built himself. He holds many trophies from various state competitions and was well known throughout the circuit.
He was a loving father and grandfather. His delight was following his children and grandchildren with their sports and activities during their middle school through college years. He enjoyed watching SEC sports, especially UT Vols, during their seasons.
Kenneth was a carpenter and a lifelong member of the Local Carpenters Union and retired from Vanderbilt University maintenance department. In 1967, he married his lifelong sweetheart, Linda Rae Gill, and they enjoyed 59 years of life together. He had more friends than we can even think of and was well respected in the community. He will always be loved and dearly missed by his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Pearl Hayes, and sibling Rodney Dale Hayes.
Survivors include his wife: Linda Gill Hayes; his daughters: Traci Williams (Kevin Doak) and Jennifer Hohl; his son: Ken Wayne Hayes (Chip); his grandchildren: Tyler Roberts (Maria), Raegan Hohl and Jacob Hohl (Helya); his great grandchildren: Liam Roberts and Lucah Roberts; his sisters: Sue Cauthen (Dallas) and Vickie Barkoskie; as well as many nieces and nephews.
There will be a celebration of life at Salt and Pepper on January 11th from 5:00 pm- 8:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to stop in and share their favorite memories.