7 Unforgettable Facts About Walker Hayes' Family: From His High School Sweetheart To The Heartbreaking Loss That Shaped His Faith

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The family life of country music star Walker Hayes is as authentic and compelling as his chart-topping music. As of December 2025, Hayes and his wife, Laney Beville Hayes, continue to share their incredibly candid journey of faith, fatherhood, and sobriety with their six children, offering fans a rare glimpse into the realities of a modern, large family in the spotlight. Their story is defined by unwavering commitment, from their high school sweetheart beginnings to navigating immense grief and celebrating recent milestones, such as their oldest daughter’s career steps and the release of his deeply personal album, *17 Problems*. The Hayes household, based in Franklin, Tennessee, is the true engine behind Walker’s career, providing the raw, relatable material that turned songs like "Fancy Like" into global phenomena. This deep dive explores the full profile of the Hayes family, including the names, ages, and significant events that have cemented their status as one of country music’s most beloved and resilient families.

Walker Hayes: A Complete Family & Professional Biography

Charles Edgar Walker Hayes, known professionally as Walker Hayes, is an American country pop singer and songwriter whose career found massive success after years of struggle, largely due to songs that chronicle his daily family life and personal challenges.

  • Full Name: Charles Edgar Walker Hayes
  • Date of Birth: December 27, 1979
  • Hometown: Mobile, Alabama
  • Wife: Laney Beville Hayes (m. 2004)
  • Children: Six living children (Lela, Chapel, Baylor, Beckett, Loxley, Everly), and one late daughter (Oakleigh Klover).
  • Career Breakthrough: While he released his first single "Pants" in 2010, his career exploded with the viral success of "Fancy Like" in 2021.
  • Recent Album (2025): *17 Problems*, which explores deeply personal themes of fatherhood, faith, and sobriety.
  • Residence: Franklin, Tennessee.

Hayes’ upbringing was unique; he was the ninth child in a blended "Brady Bunch" family where his parents each brought four children to the marriage before he was born. This early exposure to a large, dynamic household likely prepared him for the beautiful chaos of his own family life today.

The Six Living Hayes Children: Names, Ages, and Their Roles in His Music

Walker and Laney Hayes are parents to six vibrant children, three sons and three daughters, who are frequently featured in the singer's social media content and are the muse for much of his songwriting. The children range in age from approximately 7 to 18 years old as of late 2025.

The entire family is a tight-knit unit, often traveling together when Walker is on tour. This commitment to keeping the family together, even on the road, is a testament to the values that Walker and Laney prioritize.

Meet the Hayes Kids:

  • Lela Hayes: The oldest daughter, Lela is currently around 18 and recently achieved a significant milestone in her cosmetology journey. Walker has publicly celebrated her independence and talent, showing her desire to follow her own path.
  • Chapel Hayes: One of the sons, Chapel is around 16 years old. He, along with his siblings, often appears in the viral TikTok dances that accompany his father's songs.
  • Baylor Hayes: A son, Baylor’s name is frequently mentioned in the context of the family’s adventures and challenges, as Hayes often writes about the weight of raising kids.
  • Beckett Hayes: Another son, Beckett is part of the lively middle group of the Hayes children. Walker once humorously shared a story about breaking one of his son's noses, highlighting the real-life antics of their home.
  • Loxley Hayes: A younger daughter, Loxley is approximately 10 years old. Her presence adds to the constant energy that defines the Hayes household.
  • Everly Hayes: The youngest daughter, Everly is around 7 years old and is often seen enjoying her father's tour life alongside her older siblings.

The Heartbreaking Loss of Oakleigh Klover Hayes

While the Hayes family is known for its joy and humor, their story is also marked by profound grief, which has become a cornerstone of their faith and public vulnerability. In June 2018, Walker and Laney mourned the loss of their seventh child, a daughter they named Oakleigh Klover Hayes.

Oakleigh Klover tragically died shortly after her birth. This devastating event was a monumental turning point for the family, forcing them to lean on their faith and each other during the early stages of grief.

Walker Hayes has been incredibly open about how this tragedy shaped his perspective, emphasizing the importance of gratitude and cherishing every moment with his living children. The memory of Oakleigh Klover continues to be a powerful, emotional part of the Hayes family narrative, reminding them of the fragility and preciousness of life.

Sobriety, Faith, and the '17 Problems' Album (2025 Update)

Walker Hayes’s latest music and public discussions in 2025 reveal a man who continues to grapple with life’s complexities through his art, particularly in his recent album, *17 Problems*. This collection dives deep into introspective and heartfelt themes that are directly connected to his family and personal struggles.

The album explores topics like childhood missteps, coming-of-age lessons, the weight of raising kids, grieving a parent, and holding tight to faith. It is a raw look at the issues—the "17 problems"—that shape a person’s life.

A central theme in his life and music is his journey with sobriety. Hayes has been transparent about his struggle with alcohol, and his commitment to a sober lifestyle is a powerful example for his children and his fan base. His music, including the new song "Wednesday" which he performed at the 2025 Global Leadership Summit, often reflects the simple, day-to-day moments that he now treasures because of his commitment to sobriety and his faith.

The song "17 Year Old Problems" from the new album is a direct reflection of the challenges of fatherhood, inspired by personal experiences with his own teenage children. This willingness to share his family’s private struggles—from broken noses to teenage issues—is what makes the Walker Hayes family so relatable and gives his music its unique topical authority.

In a world often dominated by curated celebrity images, Walker and Laney Hayes offer a refreshing, honest portrait of a family built on love, resilience, and a shared journey through both immense joy and profound sadness. Their story is a powerful reminder that the true meaning of success is found within the walls of their home.

walker hayes family
walker hayes family

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