Frederick Charles Hayes

Frederick Charles Hayes, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2026, at AdventHealth Hendersonville. He was born on October 31, 1942, in Mansfield, Massachusetts, the son of Frederick Hayes Jr. and Phoebe Kellogg Hayes. He was one of six siblings.

A MAN OF FAITH: Raised in a Christian home, at the age of 9 years old Fred entered into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. His faith impacted every area of his life. In his late teens when his earthly father passed away, Fred learned first hand that he could trust God to be his Father. It was a relationship that lasted his entire life and grew deeper and richer over the years. His commitment to the Lord was seen in his home, his business, the church and in the community. Whether training his children, teaching Sunday School, leading a Bible study, serving as an Elder or Deacon, sharing a God-story or simply praying for a stranger, Fred's faith was tangibly visible.

A FAMILY MAN: At the age of 16, he met Miriam Hubley, who would become the love of his life. Four years later they became husband and wife. Together, choosing to put God first in their marriage, and following His lead, they embarked on a journey that would see their love blossom into a family with four children that would eventually grow to a family of 42 members. In 1981 they pulled up roots to relocate to upstate New York to dairy farm for a year, before traveling more than 15,000 miles across the United States the following summer, and eventually settling in the Asheville area.

A BUSINESSMAN: Fred was a carpenter by trade, who not only designed and built custom homes in Massachusetts and throughout the greater Asheville area, but he did it with integrity, exemplified through ingenuity, dedication, hard work, and a standard of excellence. He truly loved what he did. His passion showed in every detail of his craftsmanship; each house pointing to the Master Builder. Choosing to make the Lord his business partner, he made a commitment to never advertise, but trust God to provide the work. God faithfully provided from 1971 to 2014, until Fred retired.

A MAN OF CHARACTER: Known for his faith, wisdom, generosity, and straightforwardness, Fred left a lasting impact on all who knew him. He was a father figure to many and never shy about expressing his love to those around him, always ready with a kind word or a faith-filled prayer. A familiar face at the local Home Depot, Fred knew each employee by name, earning their respect and appreciation in return. His reputation was built not only on his skilled handiwork but also on his ability to connect with people, listen to their stories, and readily testify to how good his Heavenly Father was.

A MAN OF ADVENTURE: Fred enjoyed taking trips to see the beautiful country we live in. He and Miriam enjoyed RV camping with life-long friends while touring some of the nation’s most breathtaking landscapes—Redwood Forest, Carlsbad Caverns, Yellowstone, Mount St. Helens, the Grand Tetons, among many. Always ready with a word of encouragement, he brought joy and laughter to family gatherings with his puns and jokes. Fred enjoyed being outdoors. Not one to sit idle for long, he was often seen running some type of tractor, planning the next day's project, living life to the fullest, and embodying the spirit of someone who never met a stranger.

Fred is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Miriam Hayes, and their children: Daniel Hayes (Michelle) of Fletcher, Julie Nelms (Jim) of Fletcher, Michael Hayes (Jain) of Fletcher, and Erik Hayes of Upland, IN. His legacy continues through his loving sisters, Patricia Allaire of Fletcher, Linda Breakey (David) of Morgantown, WV, and Cora Mullinax of Seneca, SC, as well as his cherished grandchildren: Kayla (William) Scheitler, Nathan (Sasha) Hayes, Benjamin (Chelsea) Hayes, Andrew (Marissa) Hayes, Courtney Hayes, Joseph Hayes, Samuel Hayes, Timothy Hayes, Rebekah Hayes, Abigail Hayes, Daniel Hayes, Caleb Hayes, and Jonathan Hayes. The joyous sparkle in his life will also be remembered through his beloved great-grandchildren: Liam, Gavin, Isaac, Noah, Lydia, Elainna, Ian, Melody, Iyla, Ezra, Matthew (baby on the way), Leland, Genevieve, Remington, Naomi, and Ronnie

Fred was welcomed to his heavenly Home by his Heavenly Father, his Savior, Jesus Christ, his parents, his oldest sister, Janice Biggar, and his younger brother, Richard Hayes.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, January 24th at 2:00 pm. at Covenant Community Church, 11 Rocket Drive, Asheville, NC 28803 (off 74A). In lieu of flowers, we are asking for donations be sent to Rebuilding the Hollers, an organization helping with the ongoing rebuilding of homes in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. www.rebuildinghollers.org

Frederick Charles Hayes was a remarkable man whose love and influence will forever be felt in the hearts of those he touched. His love for the Lord and legacy of kindness, strength, and unwavering devotion will live on through his family and friends, a testament to a life beautifully lived.

The care of Mr. Hayes has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home at Forest Lawn.