Wayne Clarke Exley

November 28, 1938 – April 27, 2025

Wayne Clarke Exley, age 86, of Americus, Georgia, passed away on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center.

Wayne was born in Savannah, Georgia, to Harold Clarke Exley and Ruth Mae Waldhour Exley. His fathers railroad career brought the family to Cuthbert, Georgia where he graduated from Cuthbert High School in 1956.  After graduation he attended Andrew College and played basketball while being awarded "Mr Andrew College."  He then transferred to the University of Georgia in Athens on a basketball scholarship.  After one season he decided to hang up the basketball jersey and walked onto the baseball team where he lettered in 1960-1961.  Wayne graduated from UGA with a General Business Degree from the Terry College of Business and was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity.

After college, Wayne enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.  It was at this time that he met the love of his life and future bride of 60 years Judith Kathleen Exley.  The first major test of their marriage came when Wayne was deployed only two short weeks after their wedding vows to Thailand.  A proud veteran, Wayne served his country honorably during the Vietnam War where he achieved a rank of Specialist 4 in the United States Army.

After his service, Wayne's career focused on the warehouse and distribution industry where he found employment with Intertherm, Inc, and relocated to Americus, Georgia in 1972.  His dream job came when he was hired to run corporate distributions at MacGregor Golf Company's headquarters in Albany, Georgia.

Golf was his passion and he found success raising his boys on the golf course. A longtime member of the Americus Country Club, he proudly earned the title of Club Champion in 1979. He was also a devoted Catholic and member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Americus.

He is survived by his sons, Christopher Exley (Sherry) of Senoia, GA, Stephen Exley (Mary Kathleen) of Evans, GA, and Phillip Exley (Sandy) of Americus, GA; his sisters, Beverly Lumpkin and Betty Exley both of Cuthbert, GA; and his beloved grandchildren: Tyler, Owen, Luke, Cole, and Jessica Scimeca (Josh) of Atlanta, GA.

Wayne was preceded in death by his wife, Judy, and by his parents.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Americus, with Father Sam Aniekwe and Deacon Bernie Bosse officiating.

Following the service, Mr. Exley will be laid to rest with military honors at Andersonville National Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Mary Catholic Church at 332 S Lee Street, Americus, GA 31079

Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel - Americus, GA

St Mary Catholic Church
332 S Lee Street, Americus GA 31709