Obituary of William Anthony Wayne

A native of Hornell, NY, William A. Wayne was born on April 15, 1931, the only child of William S. & Bernice (Rowley) Wayne. He passed away after a very brief illness on Thursday, January 9, 2014 while surrounded by his family and under the tender loving care of the medical staff at St. Joseph's Hospital. Bill married Rita T. (Dailey) Wayne on April 19, 1952 and they celebrated 61+ wonderful years together in which they raised eight children, were very dedicated to their faith and their church and were very involved in their community. He is survived by his wife Rita and their children: Mark (Mary Beth) of Horseheads; Thomas (Bonnie) of Clifton Park, NY; William S. (Joan) of Rochester; Sr. Kathleen Wayne, RSM of Rochester; Michael (Missy) of Elmira; Mary Rita (Scott) Whitcomb of Ontario, NY; Ellen of Wolcott, NY and Eileen (Noreen) of Bath, NY. He is also survived by 26 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren - all of whom he adored. Bill is also survived by his brother-in-law and sisters-in-law: Bernard and Barbara Dailey of Horseheads and Patricia Dailey of Hornell, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom will miss him dearly. Bill was a quiet, gentle man with a quick wit and a wonderful disposition. He always had a smile on his face and a quip or short story to share with anyone who would listen. He was a wonderful husband, great father & role model, and loved trying to keep up with the current events of his grandchildren & great grandchildren. He was a happy person who loved spending time with his family, relatives and friends, though he may have been happiest when he was in the company of a good dish of ice cream (preferably chocolate)! He retired as Office Manager of Conwell Oil Corporation in a job he loved, working with a family he knew dating back to his childhood in Hornell. He was a long time communicant of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, having spent countless hours working on the Social Ministry committee, as an Usher, on the Holy Name Society and as a Bingo volunteer. He was past President and past Treasurer of the Southern Tier Rose Society - winning many awards and much recognition for his skill as a Rose Grower. Bill was a former member of the Nocturnal Adoration Society, a former Elmira Kiwanis Club member and a proud member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He served in the Korean Conflict as a member of the United State Air Force. Calling hours will be at the McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira, NY on Sunday, January 12, 2013 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Monday, January 13, 2014 at 10:15 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 1100 W. Church Street, Elmira. Interment, with military honors, will follow at St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a contribution in Bill's memory to either Notre Dame High School, 1400 Maple Ave., Elmira, NY 14904, your local office of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester, or to a charity of your choice. Officers and Members of the A.O.H. will meet at McInerny Funeral Home on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. to conduct a service for our brother Bill. Signed, Jim Palmer, President The family thanks our many relatives, co-workers, neighbors and friends who have been so supportive through the years.