Walter Hayes, Jr. was born January 8, 1953 in Leary, GA to the late Walter Hayes, Sr. and Gertis Clyde Hayes.  On April 12, 2019, he peacefully departed this life at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, GA surrounded by his loving wife, children, siblings, other family members and friends.  He is preceded in death by his two brothers, Donald Lee Hayes and William Hayes and one sister, Jacqueline Cameron.

Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Walter accepted Christ as his personal savior at an early age.  During adulthood, he joined the Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church in Albany, GA under the pastoral leadership of Apostle Jimmy Sneed where he served as a Deacon.  He would later join Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Albany, GA under the pastoral leadership of Dr. Daniel Simmons where he was a very active and faithful member, serving in the Co-Ed Sunday School Class, New Members Intake Committee and as an officer in the Marriage Ministry.

Walter was a proud 1970 graduate of Monroe Comprehensive High School, Albany, GA.  He also attended Albany State University, Albany, GA. Over the years, Walter  was employed at Firestone, Turner Job Corps, Ayres Corporation and the Georgia Department of Corrections.

On June 30, 1996, Walter married the love of his life Ruby Street Hayes.  For over 22 years, they enjoyed traveling, bowling, playing cards, attending their Family and High School Class Reunions, watching and attending all types of sporting events, especially football; they always supported the "winning team" no matter where it led them.  Walter loved all genres of music:  Gospel, R&B, Jazz, Country, Rock, etc.  These "Love Birds" were inseparable!

To know Walter, was to love him.  He absolutely loved and adored his wife, children, siblings, extended family and friends.  He will be sorely missed.

Left to cherish his precious memories are a loving and dedicated wife Mrs. Ruby S. Hayes; one loving and adored daughter Reshanda Sims, Atlanta, GA; two loving and admired sons: Tyler Jackson (Tiffany), McDonough, GA and Keanon Tumblin, Albany, GA; two adored grandsons: Tyler Jackson, II and Tysen Van Jackson, McDonough, GA; one lovely granddaughter, Jalisa Hunter, Cedar Rapids, IA; five sisters with whom he had an unbreakable bond:  Marva Miller (Edward), Albany, GA, Beverly Kennedy (Micheal), Chattanooga, TN, Callie Milsap (Bobby) and Cassandra Graves (Richard), both of Ellenwood, GA, and Sharon Hughes (Norris), Decatur, GA; one brother, who he cherished wholeheartedly, Enman Hayes, McDonough, GA; two aunts, Sallie Moss, Mount Dora, FL and Eddie M. Oliver, Albany, GA; one uncle, Charlie Will Hayes (Rosene), Decatur, GA; five affectionate and loving sisters-in-law: Gwendolyn Reed (Johnny), Linda Gamble (Samuel), Ella Street all of Albany, GA, Mamie Rawls, Fayetteville, NC and Barbara Davis, Palm Bay, FL; four loving brothers-in-law, Cecil Street, Jr. (Cheryl), David Street (Eula), Gary Street (Patricia), and Freddie Street all of Albany, GA; a dedicated and loving father-in-law and mother-in-law, who he spoiled and adored, Mr. & Mrs. Cecil (Luella) Street, Albany, GA; close extended family members, Chuck Floyd (Denise), Lois Reed, and Steve Grant (Jackie); best friends since high school and brothers for life, Greg Daniels (Connie) and Murray Brooks (Delores); and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.