Paul Wayne Alderman Sr.

Paul Wayne Alderman, Sr. died peacefully in his home in Dalton, Georgia, on July 23, 2025, surrounded by family, including his loyal golden retriever, J-Lee, at his side. Wayne was born on August 9, 1938, in Rock Hill, South Carolina, to Gladys Amanda Johnson and Paul Dewey Alderman.
As a young man, Wayne enjoyed playing baseball, boxing, and earning the Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America. He proudly shared this accomplishment with his grandson, Charlie, who also earned the Eagle Scout rank. After graduating from Rock Hill High School, Wayne attended Clemson College and Winthrop College, before earning his Business Administration degree from the University of South Carolina.
In 1965, Wayne married the love of his life, Judy Kathleen Bryant, whom he met on a blind date. The couple lived in Rock Hill until 1966, when they moved to Rome, Georgia. Wayne was a salesman for Interchem. Their family grew with the birth of Paul and Mandy. By 1969, the young family had moved to Dalton, Georgia, where Wayne worked as a salesman for Verona Dyestuffs and Charles S. Tanner Company. In 1970, Wayne founded his own company, WACO Chemical, and later ALLCHEM, LLC. In that same year, Sallie was born in Dalton. From 1980 to 1986, Wayne served on the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners, twice as Chairman. He was a founding board member of the Prater's Mill Foundation, Inc., and a member of Dalton's First Presbyterian Church.
Wayne proudly served his country in the Army National Guard with C Company 16th Special Forces Group (Airborne) 1st Special Forces in North Carolina and later in the Army Reserve (Ready) in Georgia. Wayne and his family traveled to historic battlefields across Europe, inspired by his interest in WWI history. Wayne's father had served in the Army's 30th "Old Hickory" Division, which played a key role in the breach of the Hindenburg Line.
Throughout the years, Wayne enjoyed coaching youth baseball, softball, and playing golf, in addition to being an avid SEC football fan, especially the USC Gamecocks. As a member of the Dalton Presbyterian Church, Wayne found great joy in supporting the Little Free Pantry, attending services, and especially joining hands at the end of the service. The family is profoundly grateful for the support and prayers extended to them, and for the care provided by Reverend Nicole Jiskoot, Reverend Dr. Walter Jones, Hearth Hospice, and Margeana Norris and her caregivers. Wayne Alderman will be remembered as a great storyteller, devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, community leader, and faithful friend. His legacy of service, integrity, and kindness will live on in all those he touched. He was preceded in death by his infant sister, Edith Alderman, brother, Harold Alderman, sister, Ann Neely, and his parents.
He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Judy Bryant Alderman, his son, Paul and wife, Alicia Alderman; his daughter, Mandy White; his daughter, Sallie and husband, George Jones; his grandchildren: William Alderman, Charlie and wife Haydee Alderman, Courtney and husband Addison Osborne, Kathleen, Amanda, and Mary Jones; and his cherished niece and nephews: Alesa and husband Greg Klein, Ed and wife Gail Neely, and Alan and wife Pam Neely, all of North Carolina.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church, 101 Selvidge St., Dalton. Visitation will be from 12:30 to 2:00 P.M., the service at 2:00 P.M., followed by a processional to Whitfield Memorial Gardens, 701 West Cuyler St., Dalton, for interment. Memorial donations may be made to: Memorial donations may be made to: Scholarships in Local History, Whitfield Murray Historical Society, P.O. Box 6180, Dalton, GA 30722; River Teacher Endowment, Whitfield Education Foundation, 3264 Cleveland Highway, Dalton, GA 30721; Prater's Mill Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box Drawer H, Varnell, GA 30756; First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 489, Dalton, GA 30722. Paul Dewey Alderman WWI Collection Lousie Pettus Archives and Special Collections, Winthrop University Foundation, 2020 Alumni Drive, Stewart House, Rock Hill, SC 29733
Arrangements by Julian Peeples Funeral Home, Dalton, Georgia