Wayne Handy

May 14, 1935 - April 1, 2025

Wayne Jackson Handy, May 14, 1935-April 1, 2025. Wayne was born the youngest of five children in Eden, North Carolina and grew up on a farm helping his parents in the fields. He graduated from Reidsville High School in 1953 and in 1955 married Marjorie Louise Smith, from Casville North Carolina, after falling for her earlier at a local baseball game, a story he liked to tell. He and Marjorie remained married and he was devoted to her until her death in 2018. Wayne loved to sing and make songs. He had a velvet voice and played the ukulele, once appearing on the television show American Bandstand in 1957. In 1958 he enlisted in the US Army, spending two years in Alaska as a field radio operator before studying business at North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in 1962. He had a successful career in mortgage banking that moved him and his family to cities and states across the Southeast as well as Utah, finishing his career with Carolina Bank in Greensboro, and retiring in the mid-2000s. He was humble, gracious, modest, patient, meticulous, and hardworking. He regularly donated his blood and rang the Salvation Army bell at Christmas, among other acts of caring. He had an artistic, creative, sweet, and joyously playful side that delighted children and adults alike, and he enjoyed making up affectionate nicknames for those he knew and being silly. He had an irrepressible sense of humor and a funny sense of the absurd. His favorite pastimes were taking walks, building rock walls, fixing things, working in his yard, and spending time with his grandchildren. He was a naturally elegant man and a dapper dresser whose gentle voice and Southern accent gave him a gentlemanly air. Words used to describe him by those who knew him include sweet, kind, dignified, a genuine gentleman, and quietly charming. He was a unique and gentle person and a pleasure to know. Wayne was predeceased by his wife Marjorie, and is survived by sons Christopher Handy and Jeff Handy, daughter Meredith Brunel (Richard), grandchildren Louise and Henri, Carlene, Charlotte, Erendira and Matthew, and great grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by many. A graveside gathering and inurnment of ashes will take place at Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Ruffin at a date to be determined.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Greensboro News & Record on Apr. 3, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Wayne Handy

Sponsored by Wilkerson Funeral Home and Crematory - Reidsville.

18 Entries

Lightnin' Wells

June 8, 2025

I am sorry to hear of Wayne Handy's passing. I am a fan of his music and own every one of his 45 record releases from the 1950s and early 60s. He was a stand-out musician from North Carolina during the early days of rock n' roll but he decided to give it up for the sake of family and to hold down a real job. I spoke with him on the phone and wrote about his music career for a recent reissue of some of his tunes for Bear Family Records in Germany. Though his music career was short, he made a lasting impression and will not be forgotten!

Dr. Cynthia Brandt

Sent Flowers

Chester Brown Jr

Planted Trees

Meredith Brunel

April 6, 2025

Meredith Brunel

April 6, 2025

Henri

April 4, 2025

Ed played a very active role in my life. I have many many memories of all the trips we would take to visit him and Ma throughout my childhood. All the long car rides with my family down to North Carolina. There are many stories I could tell about him and the time spent at his home but I think the things I will cherish most about him were the very subtle things that made Ed, Ed. I remember his very calm composure which he always kept. I remember his sense of humor which he would sprinkle in often. I remember him always dressing well and make sure he looked gentlemanly. Ed was a genuine person who provided to those he cared about and upheld a strong sense of honor.

Meredith Brunel

April 4, 2025

Meredith Brunel

April 4, 2025

Meredith Brunel

April 4, 2025

Richard Brunel

April 4, 2025

I Will always remember Wayne from the first day at the Greensboro Airport when I visited Meredith in 1995.
I liked him from day 1. He was the incarnation of the cool American man.
Everything was fun with him. From the Happy Hour (the ritual you could not miss), the long hours of discussion, smoking the cigar, hiking the Hanging Rock mountain.
He was the best friend of Louise and Henri He loved them so much and was just like a child with them.
when we were living in Durham, I could not wait spending the weekend with Wayne and Marjorie. He was my second Dad.
I will miss you forever Wayne, but you will always be in my memories.
Richard

Baby Lou (Louise Brunel)

April 3, 2025

Ed was the best grandpa I could ask for. I will always remember summers and holidays spent in Greensboro and Reidsville with Ed and Ma. When I think of Ed, I think of Fox News playing in the kitchen, Turkey Hill half 'n half and Munchies, walks with walking sticks, long drives on North Carolina backroads, and grilling out by the driveway. He had a great sense of humor, was very meticulous, and you could always count on Ed to be Ed. I miss you so much and I will never forget you. I hope wherever you are you are with Ma and you are happy. I love you always, Ed!

Louise Brunel

April 3, 2025

Ed was the best grandpa I could ask for. I will always remember summers and holidays spent in Greensboro and Reidsville with Ed and Ma. When I think of Ed, I think of Fox News playing in the kitchen, Turkey Hill half n half and Munchies, walks with walking sticks, long drives on North Carolina backroads, and grilling out in the driveway. He had a great sense of humor, was very meticulous, and you could always count on Ed to be Ed. I miss him so much and I will never forget him. I hope wherever you are Ed that you´re with Ma and you´re happy. I love you always!

Baby Lou

April 3, 2025

Ed was the best grandpa I could ask for. I will always remember summers and holidays spent in Greensboro and Reidsville with Ed and Ma. When I think of Ed, I think of Fox News playing in the kitchen, Turkey Hill half n half and Munchies, walks with walking sticks, long drives on North Carolina backroads, and grilling out in the driveway. He had a great sense of humor, was very meticulous, and you could always count on Ed to be Ed. I miss him so much and I will never forget him. I hope wherever you are Ed that you´re with Ma and you´re happy. I love you always!

Baby Lou

April 3, 2025

Ed was the best grandpa I could ask for. I will always remember summers and holidays spent in Greensboro or Reidsville with him and Ma. When I think of Ed I think of driving on North Carolina backroads, Turkey Hill half n half and Munchies, and walks with walking sticks. He was a great guy with a funny sense of humor and an appreciation for consistency. You could always count on him to be good ol Ed. I love you always and I hope wherever you are that you´re happy and with Ma <3

Charlotte Handy

April 3, 2025

I will never forget the rush of excitement that filled me every time he would pick us up from the airport. He never failed to have a huge smile on his face and his arms wide open waiting for a warm hug.