Wayne’s life and career were defined by his love of God and his desire to do good. He lived by John Wesley’s entreaty to “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can.”
Wayne was born April 14, 1945 in Loraine, Texas to Ruby Jo and Kenneth Day. He graduated from Cooper High School in Abilene and received his Bachelor of Arts from Southern Methodist University.
Before entering ministry, Wayne worked with Palestinian Christians in Israel as a part of the YMCA’s World Service program. Upon his return to the U.S. he became an advocate for low-income housing residents and helped organize Martin Luther King Jr.’s Chicago Freedom Crusade.
He entered the University of Chicago’s Theological Seminary in 1968 and graduated with a Master of Divinity. In 1971, Wayne was ordained a Methodist minister. For the next 33 years, he ministered to churches throughout Texas. He served St. Phillip’s United Methodist in Houston as an associate minister, Clear Lake United Methodist Church as associate minister, First United Methodist Church of Troup as senior minister, Klein United Methodist Church in Spring as the founding minister, St. Paul’s United Methodist in Houston as senior minister, and First United Methodist Church in Ft. Worth as senior minister.
Wayne earned a reputation as an inspiring preacher. He believed strongly in short sermons with good anecdotes that featured his family and friends. His message always centered on God’s grace and hope.
After retiring from parish ministry, Wayne worked for Texas Methodist Foundation as a consultant for the Clergy Leadership Initiative until he was diagnosed with dementia. He continued to inspire as he faced his diagnosis, demonstrating amazing grace, bravery, and strength. He greeted every day with positivity and hope, trusting in God’s mercy.
Wayne is survived by his wife Marta, his mother Ruby Jo Day of Abilene, his daughter Joanna Day and her husband Eric Morehead of Dripping Springs, and his son Matthew Day of Arlington. He was the proud grandfather of Connor Day and Charles, Luke, and Rose Morehead.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 4, 2022 at 1pm at the Church of Horseshoe Bay. The service will be available to view via livestreaming on the church's website: https://church-hsb.org/newsite/
A service of interment will be held in May at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Houston.
In lieu of flowers, Wayne’s family asks that you donate to your local Alzheimer’s Association and do “all the good you can” in his memory.
DONACIONES
Your Local Alzheimer's Association
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.5