Wayne Nathinel King

The world was blessed by the birth of Wayne King on June 19, 1963. On July 28, 2020, he transitioned and became our guardian angel. A position he also held here on earth. Son, uncle, nephew, brother, Godfather, cousin, friend. He wore many hats and connected all the dots. If he loved you, he brought you into his huge circle and left us all with a larger community because he was here.

Wayne spent his early childhood in Walterboro, SC and eventually moved with his parents to Long Island, NY and graduated from Central Islip High School in 1981. He then attended Virginia State University. After college, he returned to NY where he began a career in management. His most recent position was with Walker’s Furniture.

While in high school, Wayne excelled in football and the love of that sport continued into adulthood. He coached countless youth players for the Suffolk County PAL’s 10-year-old squad. He also lent his talents as coach for the Central Islip PAL for the basketball and football teams from 1984-2000. He became a mentor to many young men. As a coach, he kept his players on their toes. They never knew what to expect. Some days, he would come in with a passionate speech and other days, he would throw furniture to get their attention. Once, as one of his brothers recalled, on the day of a big game, he arrived late and entered quietly like a minister at revival. Wayne waited for silence, and then wrote, NO PAIN, NO GAIN, NO MERCY on the board. He dropped the chalk and looked at his team. They went on to win the league championship! “He always knew the temperature of the room and the right thing to say to motivate his boys.”

Biologically, Wayne was an only child, but if you ask any of his friends or cousins, they considered him a brother. His presence changed the direction of many of our lives. He listened, gave compassionate advice, and encouraged us to step outside of our comfort zones. Many of those steps led to us driving cars while underage and attending unsanctioned parties at his parent’s house. Wayne believed in living life to the fullest and took us all on the ride of our lives. He could talk anyone, into anything. For this reason, he was fondly known as Don King, the seller of dreams. He had a gentle, respectful way of communicating with his or your elders and could convince any parent to let his friends off punishment. He could tell a story you had heard a million times and make you feel as if you were hearing it for the first time. Even when he was not in the room, his name commanded respect. The words, “do you know Wayne King?” could turn an entire situation around. Even when that situation that had nothing to do with him.

Wayne’s passions were many, football, basketball, bowling, his watch collection, gambling, and cruising. But to know him, you knew that his greatest love was his best friend, his mother Diann King Joseph. The relationship they had was one of kind and they were always together. She was Ying to his Yang, peanut butter to his jelly. They completed each other’s sentences and laughed at each other’s jokes. When his stepdad passed, Wayne did not hesitate to leave the East coast to move to Las Vegas to be by her side. To see them interact with each other was a lesson in mutual respect and true unconditional love. The most beautiful part of their relationship is that nothing was ever left unsaid. Each one knew how much the other meant to them. We should all be so blessed.

In addition to his mother, Wayne is survived by his aunts, uncles, cousins, step-siblings, Godchildren and many friends that he considered family.

He has left a void that can never be filled. But he’s left us memories filled with joy, laughter and love. He was a great man with a humble spirit. We will miss you, Poochie, Don King, King Pin, and Big Wayne…Wayne. Watch over us.