William Wayne Massey, 95, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, in Fredericksburg, Texas.

A family graveside service will be held Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. Pastor George Lumpkin of Fredericksburg United Methodist Church will officiate. A retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps, Wayne will be buried with military honors. Arrangements are by Fredericksburg Funeral Home and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, at McCurdy Creek Ranch in Fredericksburg.

Wayne was born Nov. 19, 1924, to Zela Catherine (Hollis) and Jess Robert Massey in Mills County, Texas. He went to school in Goldthwaite, Texas, then joined the Marine Corps immediately afterward to fight in World War II. He served our country as a veteran of three wars – World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

He was awarded the Bronze Star and received the Legion of Merit from President Lyndon Baines Johnson in 1972 for his outstanding service as Commanding Officer of the Marine Barracks, U.S. Naval Station, Sangley Point, in the Philippines from 1969 to 1971. As a result of his work improving relations between Cavite City and the naval station, Wayne was officially adopted as a "Son of Cavite" in 1971, an honor never before accorded to a Marine officer. He retired from the Marines after 28 years of service.

After his military service, Wayne was hired by William Wrigley as the CEO of the Catalina Island Corporation in California. He then became a real estate agent and developer and returned to Texas. He helped many folks design and build their dream homes in Fredericksburg, as owner of Massey Construction.

Wayne was married to Bobbie Louise Obenhaus, and they welcomed their daughter, Catherine Ann Massey, in 1958. Wayne married Sharon Beth McKenzie on March 20, 1982, adding her children, Peter and Emily McKenzie, to his family.

Wayne was active in the Rotary Club for many years, ultimately serving as President of the Fredericksburg Rotary Club and Governor of Rotary District 5840 from 1994 to 1995. He helped found the Fredericksburg High School Interact Club and the Fredericksburg Morning Club, as well as the District 5840 Hunger Plus Program. Wayne served as the District 5840 delegate to a Rotary Council of Legislation in India and was honored multiple times as a Paul Harris Fellow for his contributions to The Rotary Foundation. He and Sharon also hosted 10 international high school students over the years through Rotary Youth Exchange.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, former wife, and six siblings: brothers, Dale, Rob and Ralph Massey; and sisters, Fay Kight, Freda Caulder and Floy Rowlett.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon Beth, and his children and their spouses: Catherine and Thain Cashmore, Peter and Sophia McKenzie, Emily and Chris White, and honorary daughter Teresa Jenschke. He is also survived by his sister, Floree Shannon. Wayne has been blessed with eight grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. His grandchildren are Alexandra "Sasha" Louise Heyneman, Jonah Nicholas and Lindsay Brooke Heyneman, Aaron William McKenzie, Evan Major McKenzie, Joshua Dietrich White, Lucas Gabriel White, and Seraphina Rylan Rose White. His great-granddaughters are Kennedy Brooke and Oakley Austin Heyneman.

Wayne remained a true Marine and a loving husband, father and grandfather. He will missed by all.

Wayne's family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Hill Country Memorial Hospital and Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in his memory to Rotary International, Hill Country Memorial Hospice, Wounded Warriors at Nebo, or the charity of your choice.