The Reverend Dr. Wilson Felix Haynes, Jr., 81, died Friday, June 13, 2025 at Hospice of the Golden Isles following an extended illness.
Born in Waycross, Georgia, he was the son of the late W.F. Haynes, Sr. and Georgia Lee Haynes. A graduate of Waycross High School in 1962 and Mercer University in 1966, he followed his life's calling and entered Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky for his Master of Divinity Degree while pastoring Port Royal Baptist Church in Port Royal, Kentucky. He also pastored churches in Waycross, Georgia; Ohoopee, Georgia; Jesup, Georgia; Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; and Brunswick, Georgia while serving in multiple capacities and terms as pastor of First Baptist Church of St. Simons Island, Georgia. During these years, he earned his Doctorate of Ministerial Studies from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Along with the love of his life, his late wife Miriam Jones Haynes, Dr. Haynes was a collector of rare books and antiques, a teller of stories, and a nurturer of souls. He also had a heart for dogs and frequented the dog park with his beloved Kona, where he connected with kindred spirits and shared the love of companion pets with many dear friends. Together, he and Miriam created a lasting legacy that will live on throughout future generations.

Dr. Haynes is survived by a daughter, Kimberly Johnson and her husband Briar of Williamson, Georgia; a son, Kenneth Haynes and his wife Jennifer of St. Simons Island; three grandchildren, Mallory Meyer of Henderson, Nevada; Marshall Meyer and his wife Selena of Ridgeland, South Carolina; and Ansley Meyer of Owensboro, Kentucky. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Aidan Tyler Harris; Sawyer Haynes Meyer; Saylor Reese Meyer, River Dawson Meyer; Beckham Cash Meyer; Magnolia Mae Meyer; and Silas Haynes Neal; a sister, Ann Downing and her husband Tom of Atlanta, Georgia, and a brother, Greg Haynes and his wife Nora of St. Simons Island, along with several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Family will receive visitors at Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home in Brunswick, Georgia on June 20 from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 21st at 1:00 at First Baptist Church of St. Simons Island. A private burial will follow at Christ Church Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the many caregivers and medical professionals who helped guide Felix through his lengthy illness, with a special note of appreciation for the staff of Hospice of the Golden Isles.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made to either First Baptist Church of St. Simons Island or Hospice of the Golden Isles in Brunswick, Georgia.