B. Wayne White

                The faith of Bennie Wayne White became sight with his loving wife by his side on January 12, 2024 at Lynchburg General Hospital. Born on January 17, 1945 in South Boston, VA to the late Bennie W. and Alease S. White, Wayne truly loved his family. He is survived by his bestest girl of just over 29 years, Beth of Lynchburg. Although they were never blessed with biological children, there were hundreds of young ladies who passed through their youth ministry that considered Wayne to be a second father. There were four special ones: Shyann, Cara, Ashlee and Meredith, who signed a family tree chart as honorary children. Three young neighbors, Zachariah, Caleb and Abigail were honorary grandchildren to Wayne and Beth as well. Wayne was predeceased by his parents, both of Lynchburg, a sister, Deborah Robertson of Chattanooga, TN and father in law, John Donovan of Lynchburg. Surviving to forever cherish his memory along with Beth are his brother Arthur (Linda) White of Lynchburg, sister Nancy (Pat) Gallagher of Winchester, VA, brother in law James Robertson of Chattanooga, TN, brother in law Arthur Donovan and mother in law Dorothy Donovan, both of Lynchburg and a loving aunt, Geraldine Shelton of Hurt, VA. Wayne also had a special place in the hearts of his many nieces, nephews and cousins.

                Faith was an important part of Wayne’s life, and he is fondly remembered as a prayer warrior. He was a member of Pleasant View Baptist Church and previously a long-time member of Hyland Heights Baptist Church. Wayne and Beth were married at Jordan Baptist Church where many still recall their fairy tale wedding.

                Wayne had a passion for airplanes as a teenager and served in the Lynchburg wing of the Civil Air Patrol during high school. During this time, he took flying lessons in a J-4 with Rucker Tibbs at the New London Airport which he was surprised to still was in flying condition years later. He graduated from Brookville High School in 1965 and shortly after joined the US Air Force. He was first stationed at Edwards AFB and then sent to Phu Cat AB in Vietnam in late 1967 and was there during the TET offensive which he forever remembered.  Wayne returned home in December 1968 and was discharged as an A1C. Following his discharge, he graduated with his A.A. degree from CVCC and would later study electronics.

                He would put that knowledge to use repairing televisions and radios at Lyle’s Home Shop on Timberlake Road. This led to a new career as a transmitter engineer for WSET. Forever remembered as the voice on the radio, Wayne served for 20 years at the transmitter site on top of Thaxton Mountain before getting transferred to the Langhorne Road station for the final 8 years of his career before retiring in December 2012.

                Wayne loved to read on a variety of subjects and always wanted a college education without having to pay for one. He also loved history as much as Beth and together, they were always taking road trips to chase history. He also wanted to see the Grand Canyon in person and was able to do so in 2021. They were blessed to have gone on five cruises with the last one in October 2023.  He fondly recalled guarding the 24 hour ice cream machine to make sure that no one tried to take it off the ship. He was always willing to travel anywhere as long as it was warm. Wayne also wanted to see the Panama Canal and was looking forward to a special 30^th anniversary cruise on his favorite ship in December 2024.

                Wayne will always be remembered for his warm heart, quiet demeanor, avid reading and his flight simulator which he played with anyone who came into his home. But he will be best remembered as a kind man with a sweet smile who absolutely adored his loving wife.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg from 6 – 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 19, 2024, in the chapel of Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg at 3 p.m. Interment will follow at the Presbyterian Cemetery.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg is assisting the family.