Barrett (Barry) Hayes, 78, of Siler City left his earthly home on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was born in Greensboro, North Carolina on November 27, 1947, to Edward Broughton Hayes and Hazel Beane Hayes, who preceded him in death.

Barry was an accomplished pilot and had a lifelong fascination with the world around him. Always looking to the sky to see if it would be “a good day to fly”, he could name the birds, weather patterns and the stars.

From a childhood of scouting and making model airplanes, Barry could repair or make almost anything. Aviation and radio were his domains, so it was fitting that he combined those talents into a fulfilling career as a broadcast engineer/radio announcer and part-time avionics technician for Causey Aviation. He always said he “didn’t have a job, just hobbies”.

During his teenage years, he had a fascination with radio and electronics, even building his own radio transmitter at home and becoming the youngest person on the east coast to pass the FCC broadcast engineering exam. Barry’s career began while in high school as a radio announcer at WCOG in Greensboro.

After graduating from Southeast Guilford High School in 1966, he worked on-air for several radio stations and was the technical know-how behind numerous stations across NC, SC and VA. Combining this with aviation, Barry would fly traffic reports over the Raleigh-Durham area and UNC football games, talking to listeners while piloting an airplane — “this is the Bare in the air …”

In 1982, Barry accepted the challenge to manage a small AM radio station in Siler City. It quickly became home and he became immersed in the activities of small-town living. He was best known as “the Bare of the air” and owner/operator of Chatham Broadcasting Co. Inc, also known as WNCA AM-1570. For 40 years, he kept the community entertained and informed of news, weather, local events, disasters, politics, gospel messages, obituaries and provided a forum for swapping and shopping known as “Dial-A-Deal”.

Always very community-minded, he was a former member of the Siler City Rotary Club, serving as a past president and Paul Harris fellow. Formerly, he was on the board of Central Carolina Community College and the Siler City Airport Authority Advisory Board. He proudly served on the UNC-Chatham Hospital Board of Trustees from 2004 until 2018, an affiliation of which he was honored to be a part.

He liked to retreat to the coast and the ocean air, often taking his cat on the trip there in the airplane. He studied scripture for answers to the biggest questions and left a well-worn and marked Bible behind.

Barry was a people person and knew many names. You could often find him at a community event talking with locals. He cared about the town of Siler City, its people and its future. Family was important to Barry, always looking forward to family reunions, honoring his parents and keeping traditions.

Barry is survived by his wife of 35 years, Dacia; a daughter Donna H. Bramell and husband Chad, of Asheboro, a son John Hayes and wife Ann, of Asheboro, a son Randy Hayes and wife Jennifer, of Fuquay-Varina, a step-Son Brandon Jones and wife Heather, of Bear Creek, a step-son Benjamin Jones and wife Maggie, of Siler City; a brother Gareth Hayes and wife Janet - Durham and Eleven grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.

Family and friends will gather on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Siler City Presbyterian Church. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of Siler City Presbyterian Church.

Barry will be laid to rest in Chatham Memorial Park.

The family would like to extend sincere appreciation to the staff at Dunmore Senior Living and Liberty Home Care and Hospice for the love and care shown during this difficult, but blessed journey.

Flowers are welcome, however donations may be made to Siler City Presbyterian Church, Liberty Home Care and Hospice, or Gideons International.

Please share a memory or message of condolence for the family in Barry’s guestbook below.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home of Siler City, North Carolina, is honored to serve the family of Barrett (Barry) Wayne Hayes.