Wayne Michael Feulner

Feulner, Wayne M., age 74, of Knoxville,TN, formerly from East Meadow, NY, devoted husband of Leslie (née McCullough) and father of Kelly Broderick of Littleton, CO and Keith Feulner of Seymour, TN, died at his home on November 17, 2025. He is survived by his wife of 32 years and his children, by multiple grandchildren including Ashley and Kayla Feulner and 3 step grandchildren Julianna, Sophia, and Gabriella, by Dylan and Ally Broderick, and by Ashanti Smith, Raven Smith, Zaire Wilson, and Zamier Gerald. He is also survived by four great grandchildren and his brother Gary Feulner, of Dubai, UAE.

Wayne was a 51-year resident of Long Island, then a 24-year resident of Knoxville, having moved there in retirement, following the example of in-laws and the result of falling in love with the area since 1979. He lived for 21 years in Sterchi Hills and more recently in Joshua's Landing. For many years, he enjoyed DIY projects at home, customizing computer equipment, proudly landscaping his property, fishing in the greater Knoxville area, and flying model aircraft, but his favorite pastime was playing and customizing his numerous guitars (with a sophisticated array of computerized accompaniment).

Following graduation from East Meadow High School in 1969 and a brief service in the US Navy, he spent his working career with the NY Telephone Co. and its subsidiaries (Bell, NYNEX, AT&T, Verizon), beginning as a pole climber at 19 years old and culminating in a degree in computer science and responsibility for the maintenance of sophisticated institutional 911 telecom systems for the region.

During his earlier years, he was an accomplished drummer in a teenage band, a young husband and father raising a family throughout the 1970's and 80's with his first wife, Edna Nardone Feulner. Wayne was an award-winning expert motocross racer for a decade on Long Island and later, a lead guitarist for a band that played at local area nightspots. He was also a regular distance runner and physical fitness enthusiast.

Wayne met his second wife Leslie at the phone company and they married in 1993, thereby accomplishing a blending of families. Together, they shared a love of computer work, some travel, volunteering at the Fountain City Arts Center of Knoxville, and entertaining with friends and family.

Despite multiple health challenges and obstacles later in life, he remained calm, strong and philosophical in the face of adversity, even when faced with a lower left leg amputation resulting in major changes to his lifestyle. He kept up his well-known offbeat sense of humor as best he could to the end. His deep love for his family, straightforward good nature toward others, passion for music, propensity for finding a bit of mischief and absurdity in the everyday, and his wit and wisdom will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Services will be announced at a later date. Rose Funeral & Cremation - Broadway is honored to serve the Feulner family.