Junior Lee Hayes, 78, of Waco, passed away on November 6, 2021, after a brief illness. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 10, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Oakcrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Boulevard, Waco, TX 76710. On Thursday, November 11, at 11:00 am, a graveside service will be held at Rosemound Cemetery, 3201 S. 12th St., Waco, TX 76706, with Pastor Robbie Hetland officiating. All are welcome.

The third of four sons, Junior was born January 14, 1943, in Hubbard, TX, to John and Lena Bryant Hayes. His brothers, all of whom preceded him in death, were Artie Hayes, Billy Hayes, and Kenneth Hayes. His parents also preceded him in death. Junior never married.

Survivors include his beloved adopted son, Antonio Garcia; Antonio’s daughters Kali Lann Garcia and Toni Elizabeth Garcia; nephews Ernest and Roy Hayes; nieces Marie Hays, May Hayes, and Joyce Ann Hayes; and several friends.

Junior spent most of his adult life working in construction, the restaurant industry, and on dairy farms. He was a hard worker and believed in doing what was right, regardless of the consequences. He spent much of his time praying for others. He knew the Bible, “frontward and backward,” and was an avid sharer of God’s Word. His favorite Bible verse was John 3:16.

Junior was most recently a member of the Upper Room Fellowship Church, where Cody Leigh Jay serves as pastor. Junior was at peace with his life and was joyful his next step would be heaven. Whenever loved ones mentioned how much they would miss him, Junior would tell them not to worry, that he was going to a beautiful place and looking forward to it. He wanted everyone to know that, when he left this life, he would be at rest with God.

Pallbearers will be Martin Donaldson, Antonio Garcia, Jim Wiswall, father of Cody Leigh Jay, and others. Honorary pallbearer is Roy Hayes.

If you would like to honor Junior monetarily, he asked that gifts be sent to his adopted son, Antonio Garcia, care of Oakcrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Boulevard, Waco, TX 76710. To share a memory of Junior or to send a message to his loved ones, please write on his page at www.oakcrestwaco.com.