Phillip Ronald Hayes, 86, of Braselton, Georgia, passed away at Braselton Northeast Georgia Medical Center on Sept. 26, surrounded by his loving family.

Phil was born on July 5, 1933, in Lanett. He graduated from Valley High School in 1951 and then joined the U.S. Navy. He was a Yeoman (Y03), on the staff of the Admiral of the Pacific Fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii during the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1954, he attended Alabama Polytechnical Institute, now Auburn University, and graduated in 1957 with a degree in Finance. He and Joerine were married on Nov. 27, 1957. Shortly thereafter, Phil and Joerine relocated to Florida, where he started his career with the Sperry Rand Corporation, which later merged with Honeywell and then with Lockheed Martin. In 1966, he achieved the position of controller for Lockheed Martin and was relocated to Durham, North Carolina. Phil and Jo raised their family in Durham, North Carolina and resided there until her death in 2016, when he relocated to Braselton, Georgia with his eldest daughter.

Phil was a lifelong sports enthusiast, an avid University of North Carolina Tarheel fan. He was a talented athlete in his youth and continued playing racquetball daily until his health failed late in life.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joerine Roach Hayes; his parents, James Curry Weaver and Sara Burke Weaver. 

He is survived by his four children, Curry A. Hayes (Fran), Beth Hayes Upchurch, Suzanne Hayes Mangum, T. Michael Hayes; two siblings, James Lee Weaver and Sara Elizabeth Price; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances and donations may be made to Lakewood YMCA of Durham, 2119 Chapel Hill Rd., Durham, North Carolina 27707 or made online at www.ymcatriangle.org (select Durham YMCAs and In Memory of Phil Hayes).

Join the family for an informal gathering to celebrate the life of Phillip Ronald Hayes on Oct. 19 at the home of Alexi Upchurch, 6104 Riverview Parkway, Braselton, Georgia 30517 from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.