Racine – Thomas "Pee Wee" O. Hayes, 81, passed away at Lincoln Park Nursing Home on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

He was born in Alamo, TN, on July 13, 1944, to Roland O. and Lucy M. (nee Ewing) Hayes. He was one of 10 children.  The Hayes relocated to Racine, WI, in the 1950's and was educated in the Racine Unified School System.

Thomas was an avid musician who loved playing the blues.   He started playing the guitar at an early age with his father and brothers.  This gave him the opportunity to meet many of the older musicians.  It also gave Thomas the opportunity to play with Little Milton, Buddy Guy, and B.B. King, who was a lifelong friend of his father.   Thomas and his brother, Charles (Hog) were inducted into the Wisconsin Blues Hall of Fame in November of 2024.  Thomas traveled around the United States playing his blues at many festivals from New York to Colorado.  He will be missed by the music world.

Thomas was also an avid fisherman.  He was at home on any fishing bank, complaining about the big one that got away.  He was also a good storyteller, telling stories about Brother Fox, Brother Rabbit, Sister Hen, and many more animals.  He could keep you mesmerized for hours with these stories.

Thomas leaves to cherish his memory, his siblings, Mary Carothers of Taylor, MS, Robert (Annie) Hayes, Larry Hayes, JoAnn (Ricky) McMorris, Joe Hayes, Willie Hayes, and Wilma Hayes, all of Racine.  He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins, too numerous to count, as well as special friends, Juanita Cobbins, Calvin Plunkett, and Larry Pillows.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Roland and Lucy Hayes; two brothers, Charles and John Hayes; his paternal and maternal grandparents; his brother-in-law, Cordis Carothers; and sisters-in-law, Dorothy Hayes and Joan Hayes.

Family and friends are invited to meet in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Thursday, March 19, 2026, for a visitation from 10:00 am – 11:00 am.  A service celebrating his life and Homegoing will follow at 11:00 am.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Lincoln Park Nursing Home, especially Cynthia Tyler, who looked after him in his last days.

Service Details

Family and friends are invited to meet in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory on Thursday, March 19, 2026, for a visitation from 10:00 am – 11:00 am.

A service celebrating his life and Homegoing will follow at 11:00 am.