Johnny Will Hayes, Jr. was born on August 27, 1950, to Johnny Will Hayes, Sr. and Alice Mae Collier Hayes McClenton at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Dougherty County, Albany, Georgia. Johnny, better known as "John," attended Dougherty County Public School and graduated from Monroe High School in 1968, where he received a full football scholarship to Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. After studying for a year, he decided to pursue a career in Detroit's automotive industry.  John's grandmother, the late Annie Belle Collier, raised him in a Christian home and played a significant role in his upbringing until he became a young man. She taught him how to work in the fields as a cotton picker and use his hands to nurture and harvest different types of crops. Spending time outdoors gave him a profound appreciation for the natural world, and what he learned from his grandmother developed his lifelong passion for gardening. John's nurturing traits extended beyond gardening to other parts of his life, making him a great husband, father, son, brother, friend, neighbor, and mentor. John was a great storyteller and a man who enjoyed the simple joys of life. He possessed a strong ability to empathize and care for others. People were captivated by the sound of his voice, which had a hypnotic quality that drew them in and made them want to listen. Many have commented on how his voice was so soothing, like music to your ears. John had many good qualities, and his voice was truly a gift from God. Many people were drawn to his gentle spirit, which was uplifting and attractive to many. John lived a life of faith in God, marked by love, compassion, and generosity. His trust was secured in the Lord. On May 7, 1994, John was joined in holy matrimony with the love of his life, Jacqueline Jones-Hayes. John was employed at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital in New York City for 13 years as a Security Supervisor, where he met Jacqueline. They lived together in New York City and raised three children: Janaé, Melvin, and Brian. Later, John and Jacqueline moved to Harriman, New York. In 1997, John was employed by Brinks, Inc. for 20 years in the Courier Logistics division of Tiffany Inc. He retired in 2016, and they relocated from Harriman, New York, to Indian Trail, North Carolina, in 2017. John's love and dedication to his family were what he cherished most.  John became a member of New Beginnings Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2018. He served faithfully in his ministries as part of the First Sunday Usher Team, Our Journey of Hope Cancer Ministry, and Life Group Ministry until his health prevented him from continuing. He still continued to serve through prayer, speaking God's word, and singing in worship.  In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by a daughter, Vandolyn Hayes; his grandmother, Annie Belle Collier; mother-in-law, Pauline Williams; sister, Mattie Will Dixon; brother, Joseph Hayes; brothers-in-law, William Earnest Jones, Brent Williams, Robert Williford, Ivory Dixon, and John Davis. Johnny Will Hayes, Jr. departed this earthly life on Friday, June 27, 2025. John's love for family will live on in the hearts of his loved ones, including, his devoted, faithful, and loving wife, Jacqueline Hayes of NY; his daughter, Janaé Byars (Andrew, Jr.) Frazier of NJ, and sons, Melvin Byars of NJ and Brian Hayes-Lott of NY; eight grandchildren, Erica Hayes of GA, Eric Hayes of GA, Bernard Hayes of GA, Joycelyn Frazier of NJ, Andrew Frazier III "Tré" of NJ, Trinahty Gregory Byars of NJ, Luna Rose Hayes-Lott of NY, and Cartier Hayes of GA; great grandson, Cartier Hayes of GA; great granddaughter, Reign Hayes of GA; siblings, Barbara Corbin of GA, Caroline "Carol" King of GA, Michael (Lorraine) Hayes of NY, Arthur (MaryAnn) Hayes of NY, Maxine Hayes of NY, Regina McClenton of FL, Betty Ann Williford of GA, Gwendolyn Ridley Davis of GA, Pamela (Dana) Cradle of TX, Cathy (Gary) Hoover of OH, Paul (Bonita) Hayes of MD, James Hayes of OH, Herbert (Melinda) Hayes of OH, Ann (Shannon) Scott of OH, Amanda "Manni" Hayes of OH, Jimmie (Merle) Jones of NY, Moses (Annie Lois) Jones of NY, Monique Robinson of DC, Tania Williams of NY; nieces and nephews, Schnika Hayes of NC, Michael Hayes of NY, Devin (Holly) King of GA, Kia Hayes of FL, Matthew (Susan) Corbin of NJ, Curtis (Brittany) Corbin of NJ, Brian "Clay" Covington of NJ, Cory McClenton of FL, Donna Hayes of NY, Amanda King of GA, Christopher Hayes of NY, Courtney Corbin of MI, Drey Macon of FL, Brianna Hayes of TX, Xavier Council of FL, Dean Jones of NY, Sean Jones of NY, Robert "Baldie" Parris of NY, Erica Amanda Jones of NC, Nicole (Michael) Jones-Wronge of NY, Dana Robinson of DC, and Brent Williams II of FL; and a host of other relatives and dear friends. Links to charities John cherished: https://zerocancer.org/ or https://alzfdn.org/