Wayne Killion Jr.

Wayne Worden Killion, Jr., age 72, of Mountain Brook, died December 12, 2022, surrounded by his family. Since 2019, Wayne battled Corticobasal Degeneration with the same faith, grace, kindness, and loving spirit with which he lived his life. Wayne was preceded in death by his father, Wayne W. Killion, Sr.

Wayne was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. He was a graduate of Indian Springs School and Birmingham-Southern College, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa. In 1972, he graduated from the University of Alabama School of Medicine.

After completing a medical internship in Louisville and residency in Mobile, Wayne began his career as a private practice physician with Southview Medical Group in 1979. It was there that he diligently cared for his patients for 20 years. He was well regarded as a great clinician and a caring physician who always took time to quietly listen to each of his patients. As a lifelong learner with a thirst for knowledge, Wayne went back to school at the height of his medical career and obtained a Masters of Private & Public Management from Birmingham-Southern College with honors in 1996. He then served as Vice President of Medical Affairs at St. Vincent’s Hospital for 5 years.

Having found a second calling as a business leader, Wayne left the practice of medicine in 2001 to join his father’s business, Shook & Fletcher Insulation Company. Wayne become President and Chief Executive Officer of Shook & Fletcher and continued his father’s legacy by growing the company into a leading distributor of industrial insulation across the Southeast. Wayne was also a leader in the industrial insulation industry, serving as President of the National Insulation Association in 2001.

Wayne was a true servant-leader and was committed to our community. He was a faithful member of Canterbury United Methodist Church since 1979 and served in many roles on the Board of Trustees. Wayne’s community involvement included the St. Vincent’s Foundation, Girls Incorporated, The Greater Alabama Chapter of the Boy Scouts of America, The Birmingham Chapter of the Salvation Army, The Downtown Kiwanis Club, and The Lakeshore Foundation, where he served as Chairman.

Wayne was dedicated to his alma mater, Birmingham-Southern College. He served on the Board of Birmingham-Southern for 16 years, including 3 years as Board Chair. He was recently honored by the college with a resolution recognizing him for his wise counsel, visionary leadership, personal charisma, and conciliatory tone during a pivotal time in the college’s history.

Wayne was an avid golfer and was a member of Mountain Brook Club, the Country Club of Birmingham, and Highlands Country Club. He enjoyed being with his family at Lake Martin, hiking in Highlands, North Carolina, reading, participating in the church choir, collecting wine, and traveling regularly with his wife and friends.

Wayne was a loving and wonderful husband, father, Papa, and friend. He had an insatiable curiosity and loved the art of conversation. Wayne was a man of faith, hosting his weekly three-man accountability group since 2005. He had a generous heart his entire life, encouraging his family in his final years to endow a Chair in the Department of Neurology at UAB for dementia research. Wayne was beloved by his colleagues and his many friends.

He will be sorely missed by his wife of 46 years, Sandra Reever Killion, whom he met on the first day of his medical internship in Louisville, and hers as a registered nurse. Together, they shared a beautiful bond of love and deep friendship until the very end. Wayne is also survived by his mother, Christine Cooper Killion; his sons, Wayne Worden Killion III; Charles David Killion (Katy); and Cooper Reever Killion (Ashley); and his brother, Christopher Howard Killion (Lynne). He will be greatly missed by his beloved grandchildren whom he adored: Anna Kathryn Killion, Joseph David Killion, Caroline Christine Killion, Clayton Michael Killion, and Christine Sandra Killion.

The Killion family will be forever grateful for the love, friendship, and care provided by Wayne’s companion and friend, Jim Ferguson, and his family. They are also thankful for care provided by HomeRN, Nancy Harris, Chris Williams, Chad Payne, and Kimberley Poole.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, December 15, at Canterbury United Methodist Church. A visitation will precede the service at 12:30pm in the church parlor. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Canterbury United Methodist Church ENCORE Program or to the Birmingham-Southern College Foundation Endowment.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the Killon family.