Wayne Lee Williams Jr.

Wayne Lee Williams, Jr (08/05/1971 - 01/24/2025) was a loving husband, father, brother, son and friend. With no prior warning, Wayne passed away on January 24, 2025 from a heart attack in his residence in Trent Woods, NC.

Throughout his lifetime his biggest and proudest job was being a stay at home Dad for Jonathan and Hannah and later became Therapeutic Foster Parents for over 10 years. His second career as an Insurance Inspector he loved because he met new people daily.

Wayne’s most recent exciting memory, which he told everyone is how he became “famous”, was when WCTI-Channel 12 News interviewed him with the caption: “Local Transforms Fox Chase Road into holiday wonderland with dazzling lights” and they used our home as the Santa Tracker background. He enjoyed setting the yard scene displays and the light show display synched to music making it bigger every year and him prouder every year.

Wayne met the love of his life, Lara, at 19 years old. March 5th would have been their 32nd wedding anniversary. His last words spoken were “Lara, I love you” and the last words he heard was Lara’s reply “I love you Wayne”.

Survived by his wife Lara Williams; Daughter, Hannah Williams; Son, Jonathan Williams; Parents, Iris & Adron Merkerson, and “Dad”-in-law Ronald Carpenter; his Brother Derrick Williams (Candiss); Grammy & Pappy (Al & Susan Merkerson); several loved nieces, nephews and chosen extended family members.

Greeting him in heaven first will be his sweet Mema, “Mom”-in-law Cathy Carpenter and precious grand baby Jack Finnegan Williams.

Wayne's memorial service will be held on January 28, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Cotten Funeral Home, 2201 Neuse Road, New Bern, NC 28560. There will be a catered reception at the same location immediately following the service.

Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the family and friends of Wayne Lee Williams, Jr.