Mr. O. Wayne Corley

Otto Wayne Corley, 86, died on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at his residence. Wayne is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Jacqueline ("Jacquie") Splawn Corley, along with their children, Lauren Kendall Corley of Columbia, and Christopher Lawrence Corley (Sarah) of Mt. Pleasant; two grandchildren, Lillian Madison and Alexander Shull Corley; one granddog, Lucy, and, a sister, Katherine ("Kitty") Corley Spence of Lexington. He was predeceased by his parents, Otto Shull and Ruth Harmon Corley and a brother, Webster Corley. Wayne also leaves behind a special friend, Billy Miller, with whom he has spent many hours over many years attending his immaculately kept lawn and thoughtfully deliberating life over a bag of boiled p-nuts.

Wayne was a lifelong resident of South Carolina, having been born in Red Bank, and having lived the majority of his adult life in Columbia. He graduated from Lexington High School in 1956 and enrolled in the University of South Carolina. His undergraduate studies were interrupted to serve in the United States Army from 1960 – 1963 as a member of the counterintelligence corps. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Carolina in 1965, and earned his JD from the USC School of Law in 1968. While attending law school, he worked as a page for then Lieutenant Governor Robert E. McNair. Wayne was very active in student affairs and was regarded as a leader among his peers. He was elected as the first national President of the Law Student Division of the American Bar Association, a newly formed organization at that time. Following law school, Wayne accepted a fulltime position in the Governor's office as Legal Assistant to the Governor, focusing his efforts on law enforcement, extradition and legislative relations.

In 1971, Wayne became one of three founding members of McNair Law Firm, named for former Governor Robert E. McNair. He served in an executive leadership position from the firm's inception until he relinquished his role of Managing Shareholder in 2004 to focus solely on his public finance law practice. Wayne was instrumental in the development and growth of the firm's public finance practice area, which over time became, and remains, one of the most respected in the southeast, issuing bonds to obtain financing for many of the municipalities, counties, school districts, hospitals, airports and publicly owned utilities in the state of South Carolina. During his career, he was involved in the issuance of bonds totaling in excess of 34 billion dollars. His prominence in this area of law earned him inclusion in the Best Lawyers of America, among other accolades.

The impact of Wayne's strong leadership skills was felt well beyond the practice of law. He was active in many civic, charitable and professional organizations as he served as President of the Summit Club of Columbia, as Chair of the Carolina's Advisory Board of Bank of America, as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina Business Partnership, the ETV Partnership Board, the Board of the Palmetto Health Alliance Foundation, USC Board of Visitors, USC Law School Partnership, Advisory Board for the Darla Moore School of Business, Midlands Business Leadership Group, and the State Museum Foundation. Wayne was also a member of the Palmetto Club, Forest Lake Club and was President of the South Carolina Debutante Ball.

Wayne's role as a leader in his community and profession was rivaled only by his role as a husband, father and friend. Any who knew him will quickly testify to his deep love, dedication and devotion to his family and friends. Wayne lit up a room merely by entering it. He was always ready with a joke, a quick wit, and a gregarious demeanor that encouraged and lifted the spirits of everyone he encountered. He was fun to be around. One of his favorite pastimes was attending and supporting USC Gamecock athletic events – all of them. As a USC student Wayne held the notable role of "Big Bird" – the predecessor to "Cocky". Win or lose, he was always a Gamecock fan- so much so that he had a Gamecock stenciled on the side of his pool at home!

Notwithstanding his incredible accomplishments and successes in the "boardroom", and his imposing deep voice and large stature, Wayne was incredibly humble, the core of which was his humanity and civility towards everyone he encountered. He was warm and kind and gentle. He loved his family fiercely. He loved life and enjoyed opportunities to share life with those he loved – whether hunting, fishing, or boating on Lake Murray or down the Congaree all the way to Edisto. He was generous with his time and his resources. He always had time to give a listening ear – always available, but never intrusive. He never failed to consider and care about those marginalized by society. He had a servant's heart. He served as a deacon and an elder at Eastminster Presbyterian Church where he and his wife, Jacquie, have been faithful members for many years. The character and values he demonstrated daily through his words and actions - regardless of his audience - aligned with his faith. His earthly successes were numerous, but the legacy he leaves by the way he lived among us has eternal impact – for his family, his friends and his colleagues.

The service for Mr. Corley will be held at 2 o'clock, Tuesday, February 11th, in the Eastminster Presbyterian Church Sanctuary. Private burial in Woodridge Memorial Park, Lexington, SC will precede the service. A reception will be held from 4 until 6 o'clock, Monday evening in the Guignard Mansion at Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community, 1 Still Hopes Dr, West Columbia, SC. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

The family requests that those wishing memorials, please do so to Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29204; Still Hopes, PO Box 2959, West Columbia, SC 29171, Attn: Christie James; or to the University of South Carolina Business Partnership Foundation, 1600 Hampton Street, 7th floor, Columbia, SC 29208.