Wayne McKinley Whitley

Wayne McKinley Whitley, 94, of Kernersville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 17, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family, and a life lived to its fullest.

Born on June 7, 1932, in Guilford County, Wayne was the son of the late John M. Whitley and Elenora Patterson Whitley. He had a genuine enthusiasm for life, never met a stranger, and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He found happiness in spending time outdoors, helping others, and, above all, being with family.

Wayne shared 75 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Margie. The two celebrated their milestone wedding anniversary in March 2026, surrounded by family and friends. Together, they built a lifetime of memories, enjoying trips to the coast and traveling across the country. Wayne especially loved sharing stories from their cross-country road trip, one of their many adventures together.

Wayne had a lifelong love of the outdoors, particularly gardening and fishing. A skilled carpenter who enjoyed working with his hands, he was always happy to share his knowledge and passed his love of gardening down through generations. He dedicated 31 years to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, retiring as Chief Mechanic, a career he deeply enjoyed and took great pride in. His ability to fix or build just about anything was a gift he generously shared with family, friends, and neighbors throughout his life.

Affectionately known as “PaPa,” Wayne was a devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who took tremendous pride in his family. He especially adored his grandchildren, celebrating their accomplishments, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and education, and cherishing their time together. He shared a particularly close bond with his granddaughter Megan, who held a special place in his heart. Being PaPa was one of his greatest joys.

A man of strong and steadfast faith, Wayne was a longtime member of Glenn View Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and many other roles over the years. He lived his faith through his kindness, generosity, and dedication to helping others.

Wayne is survived by his loving wife, Marjorie Durham Whitley; his children, Tim Whitley (Vickie) and Lisa Whitley Sink (Kent); his grandchildren, Laine Whitley Burdett (Matt), Robert Whitley, Megan Sink, Hayley Sink, and Hannah Sink; and his great-grandsons, Corbin and Bryce Burdett. He is also survived by several cherished nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Wayne was preceded in death by his brothers, J.M. Carroll Whitley and Donald Lee Whitley, and his sisters, Ruby Junita Whitley and Nanie Allene Whitley.

Wayne lived his 94 years to the fullest. His family will dearly miss PaPa’s stories, helping hands, and home-cooked meals they shared together. Most of all, they will cherish the love, memories, and lessons he leaves behind for generations to come.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Wayne’s caregivers, Winnie and Robin, for the love, kindness, and compassionate care they provided.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Wayne’s memory to Glenn View Baptist Church or Meg’s House at Peacehaven Farm in Whitsett, NC.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday October 21, 2026, at Glenn View Baptist Church with Pastor Dominic Immordino and Pastor Coley Rimmer officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the church, from 1:00-1:45 PM.