Troy Dale Hays, 52, of Wichita, KS, died at Wesley Hospital on January 6, 2026. He was born on July 5, 1973, to Dale and Carol Hays.

Heworked for many years in construction, including Wells Construction and Champion Windows. He also held positions at Kansas Paint, Specialty Wheel, and Kennedy Tire, where he suffered a traumatic brain injury that left him unable to work full-time.

Troy met Jennifer Roberts in 1999 and took on fatherhood to her two daughters, Shawna Koziarz and Erin Roberts. After the two parted ways in 2016, Troy continued his role as long-distance father to Erin and enjoyed time spent with Shawna and her husband, Brandon. He welcomed their daughters, Abbigail and Taylor, with love.

Troy loved helping people. He helped countless friends and family build and repair everything, from roofs to flooring, porches to decks, and radiators to exhaust pipes.

He fell in love with NASCAR in the late 1990's and was able to travel to Vegas for a few races, which fueled his fandom until the end of his life.

He is survived by his mother, Carol Hays, sister, Tracey Hays; Shawna and Brandon Koziarz (Abbigail and Taylor); Erin Roberts; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his father, Dale Hays; grandparents Vern and Thelma Hays, grandparents Frank and Evelyn Shuck, Uncle Steve Timpy, and cousins Julia Hays and Michael 'Bobby' Timpy.

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at Baker Funeral West on Friday, January 16, at 3 pm.