Harold "Wayne" Wille

Harold Wayne Wille, 82, of Alma, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka. He was a life-time resident of the area.

Wayne was born September 2, 1942, in Wamego, Kansas, the son of Harold Gottlieb and Olive Maurine (Martin) Wille. He attended local grade school and graduated from Wamego High School in 1960. He then attended Kansas State University where he studied Engineering. Wayne served his country thirty-three years in the Kansas Army Reserves. While in his military service, he reached the rank of Command Sergeant Major.

Wayne worked many years at Goodyear Tire Company in Topeka, mostly as a forklift operator. He was offered supervisory positions but preferred to work boots on the ground. Wayne also always seemed to have a side hustle. He was a painter, a roofer, as well as many other jobs. He served as a Union Rep while at Goodyear.

Wayne was a member of St. John Lutheran Church and Spring Creek Community Club. He was an officer of Dornwood Softball Association and coached softball for several years. He was an active participant in Boy Scouts and served as a Scoutmaster for Topeka Troop 7. Wayne loved to play golf and scored two hole-in-ones over the years. He also enjoyed bowling, wood working, playing pitch, dominos, wine making, and enjoyed helping distribute Meals on Wheels. Wayne loved cars and had many new and old ones over the years. Wayne enjoyed the performing arts and actively supported them. Regular trips to Branson to take in the shows and performances were a highlight. He and Ruth were season ticket holders to the New Theatre in Overland Park and The Topeka Civic Theatre. They were also members of The Columbian Theatre in Wamego.

Wayne married Belinda Faye Carter on December 27, 1964, in Emporia. They shared fifty years together, living life and raising their family. Belinda preceded him in death on September 25, 2014. Wayne then married Ruth Berroth Messer on May 27, 2017. They successfully joined two grown families together and enjoyed sharing their senior years. Ruth survives at their home.

Wayne is also survived by his children; Gina Glass (Duane), Silver Lake, Sean Wille (Julie), Overland Park, Jack Messer (Lori), Overland Park and Doug Messer (Angie), Manhattan; his grandchildren, Justin Ridgeway, Kacey Cersovsky (Eric), Peyton Wille, Ryan Wille, Kaylyn Coleman, Ashley Coleman, Joseph Robillard (Rachel), Sara Messer (Monty Yetmar), Kathryn Messer, Keegan Messer (Kristen Mayville), Shaun Messer, and Macy Sherraden (Brady); and his great-grandchildren, Korben, Aylee, Harper, and Cam; and his sister, Sandy Thowe (Delmar), Alma. Wayne is preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Tara Coleman.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, October 4, 2024, at St. John Lutheran Church in Alma. Burial will follow at Wamego City Cemetery. Wayne will lie-in-state, Thursday, at the church, beginning at 4:00 pm, where the family will greet friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. They suggest memorial contributions to St. John Lutheran Church, St. John Lutheran School, Lutheran Hour Ministries, and Community Care Ministry (Wabaunsee County), and those may be sent in care of Campanella and Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellastewart.com