Wesley Ryan Hayes, age 32, of Fenton, went to meet his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.  Wesley was born on Sept. 12, 1992, in Lake Charles, La. to his loving parents, Patrick and Kathy Hayes. 

Wesley was a proud husband and father.  The day Ann Marie was born was one of the greatest joys of his life.  His love for Olivia and Ann Marie was endless.  Growing up, he was an active member of 4H and FFA. Anyone who has ever stepped into a livestock barn knew Wesley, not only because of what he accomplished in the ring, but because of the light he shined and the love he poured into each and every person he came into contact with. After graduating from LSU, where he was a member of the Lamda Chi Alpha fraternity, he returned home to Lake Charles to obtain his MBA from McNeese State University. He was the best man, friend, son, grandson, brother, uncle, husband, and father that he aspired to be.  His passion for the outdoors was obvious not only through his hobbies, but also professionally. Few people are able to say that they have their “dream job”, but Wesley had exactly that during his time at Resource Environmental Solutions (RES). Wesley loved the brown pelican, and he was privileged to have the opportunity to restore their habitat in Grand Isle, La. in 2020, this was his proudest professional accomplishment. Hunting season was his favorite time of year, you could rest assured he was his happiest in a duck blind or a deer stand. He was the handiest of men, there was not a DIY project his wife presented to him that he did not only figure out, but perfected. He loved gathering all the people he loved at his home, and he loved even more so to cook for them. Wesley was an avid and loyal LSU fan, regardless of the outcome of the game.  He was a man of extraordinary faith, which led him to become a confirmed Catholic in 2023. 

Wesley was met at Heaven’s gates by his maternal grandmother, Shirley Bruchhaus; his paternal grandparents, Irvin and Virginia Hayes; his maternal great-grandparents, Jimmy and Hazel McClelland; his cousin, Will Hassien, and sweetest friend, Alex Heinen. 

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Olivia Hayes; daughter, Ann Marie Hayes; his parents, Patrick and Kathy Hayes of Fenton; brothers, Tyler Hayes of Fenton and Brady Hayes of Fenton; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Francis and Melinda Karam of Oberlin; brothers-in-law, Blake (Savannah) Karam of Lake Charles; Matthew (Jill) Karam of Lake Charles; a host of nieces and nephews who lovingly knew him as “Nonky,” and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends. 

Family will receive friends from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, at Hixson Funeral Home in Welsh with a Rosary beginning at 6 p.m. Visitation will resume at 9 a.m. on Monday at Hixson Funeral Home in Welsh.

A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Hathaway with Father Bill Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Fenton Cemetery in Fenton, La. Pallbearers will be Tyler Hayes, Cade Heinen, Kade VanNorman, Blake Karam, Matthew Karam, Rob Garrison, Brian Hanchey, Riley Melton, Taylor Granger, Jacob Hassien, Logan Hayes, and Colby Oliver. Fond memories and condolences may be shared at www.HixsonWelsh.com.