WILLIAM WAYNE CORLESS Sr.

WILLIAM WAYNE CORLESS, SR. 1937 2012 William Wayne Corless, age 74, resident of Auburn, Alabama, died at 4:00 a.m. on June 10, 2012, in Colima, Mexico. He was born September 26, 1937, in Valdosta, Georgia to the late Birdsell and Helen Cheeseman Corless. He attended Craft Elementary School in Charleston, SC, Ben Tilman Elementary School and graduated from Chicora High School in Charleston Heights, SC, in 1956. He enrolled in the Charleston Naval Shipyard's Cooperative Work Study Program with Auburn University. He received his B.S. Degree in Physical Education from Auburn University in 1962 and entered into the United States Air Force as a 2nd Lt. His military assignments included James Connaly AFB, Waco, Texas; Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS; Tinker AFB, Oklahoma City, OK; the Azores Islands, Portugal; AFROTC Duty at Auburn University; Clark AFB, Philippines; Myrtle Beach AFB, SC; Carswell AFB, TX; Izmir, Turkey; and Homestead AFB, FL, where he retired from the Air Force in 1982. Awards and Decorations Received: 1961 SEC Track Team Champions, AU; The Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Dominican Republic), and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. He earned a MS Degree in Health Physical Education, Health, and Recreation from Auburn University in 1972, and a Degree from Webster University in 1978, while on active duty in the Air Force. He worked as a Recreational Management Consultant for the US Navy and as a Recreation Specialist for the US Air Force and the Army. He retired from Civil Service in October 2001, and returned to his home in Auburn. In retirement, he joined The War Eagle Lions Club in Auburn. He served as President, Zone Chairman and worked in all of their fundraising activities. He continued his philanthropic activities and went on eight Alabama Lions Ophthalmic Missions to Mexico issuing glasses to the poor. He was a member of the program Aval Ciudadano of the University Hospital of Colima. He participated in annual fundraising for Cruz Roja, the Mexican Red Cross. Also in Colima, he did recreational activities with seniors in nursing homes. He supported programs for children, orphans, women with AIDS, and families of cane workers living in shelters. He was a member of the Auburn United Methodist Church and the Joel McDavid Sunday School Class, where he occasionally taught. He was a member of the Hospital Ministry who visited members of the Church in the hospital. He also served on the Senior Adult Council and it's Travel Committee. He became very active in the Auburn University Academy of Life Long Learners, AUALL, now OLLI. He served on the Board of Directors for three years. He was on the Social Committee, Co-chair of the Membership and Promotion Committee, Vice President, Chairman of the Social Committee, and President. As past president, he chaired the Review and Planning Committee. He also was a member of the Auburn Athletic Director's Club. His hobbies were fishing, golfing and sailing. He married Betty Robinson on April 26, 1959, in North Charleston, SC. Their son William Wayne Jr. was born in 1962. Their daughter Donna Lynn was born in 1964. He was predeceased by his beloved wife in 2006 after 47 years of marriage. On June 18, 2010, he married Yolanda Rodriguez Martinez in Colima, Mexico. They lived part-time in the United States and part-time in Mexico. Wayne is survived by his wife Yolanda Rodriguez Martinez of Colima, Mexico; his son William Jr. of Waianae, Hawaii; his daughter Donna of Newport News, VA; his adopted son David, his grandson James of Auburn; his sisters Sylvia Seymour of Bishopville, SC, and Sandra Cusack of Summerville, SC; and his brothers James Lee Corless of Daytona Beach, FL; Hugh Corless of Altamonte Springs, FL and David Warren Corless of Summerville, SC. Memorial Services will be held at the Auburn United Methodist Church on June 28, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel. There will be a visitation in Hamill Court for friends and family prior to the service at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Cindy's Library, The Cynthia Spooner Hankes Cancer Resource Center C/O EAMC Foundation, 2002 Pepperell Parkway, Opelika, AL 36830. Fredericks Funeral Home is directing. www.fredericksfh.com Since 1900