Wesley Eugene Hayes, age 87, of Vienna, was born October 11, 1934, at Hayden, a son of Homer Eugene and Neva Marie (Ramsey) Hayes, and passed from this life Thursday, October 28, 2021, at his residence.

He was united in marriage October 11, 1952, at Dixon, to the former Miss Velma Ruth Snodgrass, and to this union, eight children were born.

Wes attended Kenner Church of God, near Dixon, where he made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized early in life.  He excelled in most any type of sports and was drafted by  American League Baseball for his pitching skills until suffering an injury to his pitching arm ended his career.  He was also skilled in canoe racing, slow pitch softball, pitching horseshoes, bowling, fishing, and especially hunting for deer, coyotes, and foxes.  Wes was active in the Vienna Gun Club for many years and was known for his homegrown Watermelons as well.

Wes was a lifelong farmer in Maries County, near Bell Chute Access, dealing in row crops and livestock on his Gasconade River bottom farm.  He and his wife, Velma, enjoyed living on their farm, near the river and under the bluff, raising their family and hosting many gatherings and fish fries through the years.

Those left to celebrate the life of Wes include:  His devoted wife of sixty-nine years, Velma, of their home in Vienna; three sons and three daughters, Becky (Brian) James, of Vienna, Rocky (Ann) Hayes of Cape Girardeau, Michael (Donna) Hayes of Dixon, Susan (Mark) Brunnert of Vienna, Robin (Michael) Kleffner of Brinktown, and Ryan (Lori) Hayes of Vienna; seventeen grandchildren, Melissa Hayes Miller, Emily Holtsclaw (Will), Alex Miller (Haley), Angela Stricklan (Coad), Major Anthony "Tony" (Roxanne) James, Adam James, Eric Hayes (Madison), Matthew Hayes (Chelsea), Jessica Lynch (Brian), John Hayes (Amanda), Kelcie Brunnert, Ethan Kleffner, Evan Kleffner (Chandler), Derek Kleffner, Nathan Kleffner, Eli Hayes, and Jaiden Hayes; thirteen great-grandchildren, Madison Stricklan, Gavin Stricklan, Cash Wesley Stricklan, Avery Holtsclaw, Allison Holtsclaw, Logan James, Landon James, Jackson Wesley Hayes, Emerson Lynch, Cooper Kleffner, Bethany Helton, Maggie Helton, and Brandon Helton; nephews, nieces, with great and great-greats as well; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by one son, Darrell Hayes (3-3-1983); one daughter, Cathy Hayes (2-23-1953); his father, Homer (3-22-1961); his mother, Neva (11-12-1982); three brothers, Gerald Hayes (2-13-1985), Norman "Pat" Hayes (2-24-2000), and Roy Hayes (1-9-2021); and one sister, Loretta Williams (8-26-2019).

Visitation for Mr. Wesley Hayes will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., Saturday, October 30, 2021, in Kenner Church of God, 17996 Maries Road 505, Dixon, MO 65459, with his funeral service following at 12:00 p.m. in the church with Rev. Karen Alden and Pastor Beverly Sharp officiating, under the direction of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Vienna.

Interment will be near his son, daughter, and other family members in Kenner Cemetery with Rocky Hayes, Mike Hayes, Ryan Hayes, Brian James, Mark Brunnert, and Michael Kleffner serving as pallbearers for Mr. Hayes.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Wesley Hayes are suggested by his family to the Kenner Cemetery or Felkerson Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund with envelopes available at Kenner Church or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, MO 65459.