Wilbur Haile Hayes IV Car Crash Pickens County, SC Obituary and Death

Grief has touched both Pendleton and Anderson following the accidental death of Wilbur Haile Hayes IV on January 15, 2026.

Responding to a call shortly after midnight, emergency crews arrived at W. Queen Street, where a vehicle was found engulfed in flames. The Pickens County Coroner’s Office confirmed that one occupant was located during firefighting efforts and later identified as Wilbur through dental comparison.

Though the investigation has concluded, the sorrow felt by family and friends remains profound. Wilbur was more than a headline — he was a son, a family member, and a friend whose life was woven into the everyday fabric of those around him.

He is remembered for the moments that defined him: conversations shared, laughter exchanged, and the simple comfort of his presence. Those memories now serve as a source of strength and solace.

As loved ones gather to honor his life, they hold close the truth that love outlasts loss. Wilbur’s legacy endures in the hearts he touched and the memories that will forever keep his spirit alive.