With heavy hearts, we remember and honor the life of Wilbur Haile Hayes IV, whose life was tragically lost in the early hours of January 15, 2026, in a single-vehicle accident in Pendleton, South Carolina.
According to the Pickens County Coroner’s Office, emergency crews responded at approximately 12:15 a.m. to W. Queen Street, where a vehicle was found fully engulfed in flames. During firefighting efforts, one occupant was discovered inside the vehicle. Through dental comparison, the victim was later identified as Wilbur Haile Hayes IV of Anderson. Authorities ruled the manner of death accidental.
While the details of the crash are heartbreaking, those who knew Wilbur choose to remember the man beyond the tragedy — a son, family member, and friend whose presence carried meaning. His life, though cut short, leaves behind memories that will forever live in the hearts of loved ones.
Wilbur is remembered for the everyday moments he shared — conversations, laughter, and companionship that made lasting impressions. His passing has deeply affected family and the broader Anderson community.
As loved ones grieve, they hold close the memories that define his life rather than the circumstances of his death. May he be remembered with love and rest in eternal peace.
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