J.W. Hayes

J.W. Hayes, loving husband, father, grandfather and brother was called Home unexpectedly on Wednesday morning. He is survived Carolyn, his wife of 50 years; his children: Jeffery Wade Hayes, of Mustang Ridge, Joyce Marie Hayes, of Mustang Ridge, and Sharyl Denise Lane and husband, Mike, of Lockhart; his grandchildren: Lisa Marie Hayes, of Mustang Ridge, and Justin Wray Lane, of

Lockhart; his brother, Windell Ray and wife, Mary Hayes, of Bastrop; and sister, Joyce Irene and husband, Ray Wilkerson, of San Marcos. J.W. was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.

J.W. was born on Jan. 21, 1942, in Liberty Hill, Texas, to Weldon and Melva Hayes. He met his wife, Carolyn, at the F.W. Woolworths in Austin in 1955, and he immediately told her he was going to marry her one day. They were married in July 1961, and spent the next 50 years raising their three children and later helping with the two grandkids.

J.W. spent many years driving a truck for a living until 1969, when he began a career as a mechanic, so he could spend more time at home. He finally retired in 2004 from Cox Automotive, and then in 2005 he took on a new full time job as “Papa” to the latest addition of his family, Justin. J.W. spent as much time as he could the next six years spending time with his grandson, Justin, hanging out under the carport and tinkering with his cars. J.W. was the kind of person that did not like to stay still. He would get up in the morning and go outside and many times would not come back inside until dark spending the time working on one of his many projects.

J.W. was always up for good joke and played them on anyone that gave him the opportunity.

J.W. was one of the strongest men we had ever met. When he grabbed a hold of you, weather it was to shake your hand or to get your attention, you knew he had a hold of you. But as strong as he was, he was also one of the most kind-hearted men you would ever meet. He was always willing to help friends, and family and even a stranger if needed.

He was the kind of person that could not say “No.” He often would work on projects for other people to the point he did not have time for the projects of his own.

Needless to say, J. W. will be missed by many family and friends. There will be a memorial service at a later time so in lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made to your local animal shelter in his name since he and Carolyn have such a love of animals.

Arrangements under the care and direction of Harrell Funeral homes, 4435 Frontier Trail, Austin, Texas 78745. (512) 443-1366.