Bennie Wayne Hayes

Bennie Wayne Hayes, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the age of 74, surrounded by his devoted family. 

Funeral Service: 10 a.m., Thursday, March 20, 2025 at White's Funeral Home Chapel in Springtown, Texas.

Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at White's Funeral Home Chapel in Springtown, Texas.

Interment:  Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Friendship Cemetery, Boyd, Texas.

Wayne was born in Fort Worth, Texas in 1951 to Bennie Frank Hayes and Vera Autry Hayes. His father was in the Air Force and he lived in many locations, but spent his formative years in Boyd where he learned to ride and began his life-long love of horses.

Working his way through high school, he graduated from Springtown High School in 1969. Upon graduation, he joined the Marine Corps and served as a grunt in Vietnam 1970 where he earned a Purple Heart. Wayne spent 6 months in various hospitals recovering from his injuries. The Marine Corps returned him to California where he was later discharged. He then attended and graduated from the LAPD Police Academy.

Returning to Texas he met and married his wife, Sharon Young Hayes, in 1972. Married for 52 years, they had two children. During their lifetime together Wayne graduated from TCJC in 1977 with an AD in Criminal Justice. While completing school, Wayne began his career in law enforcement with Hurst PD, later transferring to Parker County Sherriff’s office as a deputy and eventually a detective. After a 20-year career in law enforcement, he retired.

Wayne spent the next 10 years reenacting Civil War and calvary battles. As an experienced horseman opportunities presented themselves to allow him to participate in several movies and documentaries, such as: “The Patriot”, “Two for Texas”, “Roughriders”, “Ride With the Devil”, “The Alamo”, and “American Outlaw” and often with his favorite horse, Duke.

 Wayne returned to service once more as he was elected Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace in 2002. He held that position for the next 16 years working for the people of Parker County. He retired at the end of his term on December 31, 2019.

He was a member of the Azle Masonic Lodge and an active member of the Scottish Rite Masonic Lodge of Fort Worth. He was also a member of the Springtown Optimist Club, the Azle Rotary Club, and a member of the Marine Corp League.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Vera Evans and Bennie Hayes; and a younger brother, James Hayes.

 He is survived by his wife and lifelong love, Sharon Hayes; son, Phillip Wayne Hayes and wife, Krista; daughter, Tiffany Christmas and husband, Chris; grandsons, Austin Wayne Christmas and wife, Leah, Parker Christmas, and Holden Hayes; granddaughters, Olivia (Christmas) Moore husband, Cameron, Haley Balekian, Kennedy Hayes, and Presley Hayes; and two great grandsons, John Wayne Christmas and Daniel Christmas.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Scottish Rite Hospital for Children or St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.