Milton “Bennett” Hayes passed away at the age of 85, on March 4, 2026, at his residence in Athens, AL. Born on July 6, 1940, at home on Market Street in downtown Athens, he was the only child of Milton Wright and Rachel Adams Hayes.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Carol Lynn Hayes; one daughter Lynn Hayes Hodges and son-in-law Wade Hodges; two grandsons Steven Hodges (Kerry), Ardmore, TN, and Austin Hodges, of Athens, AL.
Bennett was a 1958 graduate of Athens High School. In 1956, at the age of 16, Bennett went to work at Spencer Implement Co. and was employed by the Spencer family for 40 plus years and later retired from Wright Kabuto in 2005 at the age of 65. In June of 1959, he enlisted in the Alabama National Guard and served six years in the Guard.
Bennett had a passion for antique Case tractors, which he had collected over the years. He loved large trucks and big machinery; he had extensive collection of Case model tractors and farm toys. He loved farming, growing crops, and raising black angus cattle. He enjoyed listening to gospel music, 50’s music, classical music, and old western music. Bennett had a soft spot in his heart for his cats, but most of all, he loved and cherished his family and friends.
Visitation for Milton “Bennett” Hayes will be Saturday, March 7th, 2026, from 11:00am-12:45pm, at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home, with the funeral following at 1:00pm. Burial will be at Athens City Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Wade Hodges, Steven Hodges, Gary Smith, Eric Stegall, Lynn Helms, and Michael Cook.
In lieu of flowers, make donations to Hospice of Limestone County. (PO Box 626, Athens, AL 35612)
