C. Wayne Douglas

Charles ‘Wayne’ Douglas, 89, passed away on Wednesday, June 24th, at the VNA John and Betty Charlier Hospice Center in Evansville. He had resided at the Holiday Village prior to his illness. Wayne was born and grew-up in Witcher, West Virginia. He entered the United States Navy following his graduation from high school in 1944. He served in the Pacific Theater of Operations for the duration of WWII. After his discharge from the Navy, Wayne attended and graduated from the University of Charleston in Charleston, West Virginia. Although planning to go into education, Wayne found himself working in the clothing industry, first as the manager of a department store and then becoming a manufacturer’s representative for several exclusive clothing designers. He traveled throughout the Midwest and South, showing and selling these clothing lines to department stores and boutiques. He and his late wife, Joyce Ann (Birdsong), owned and operated a small dress shop on Evansville’s eastside for many years, selling these exclusive designer’s samples. Wayne enjoyed dancing, cooking, fishing, football and golf. Wayne was a true gentleman, always gracious and considerate. He never met a stranger and he never missed an opportunity to tell those around him how much he appreciated and cared for them. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joyce Ann, his son Matt, 9 brothers, 2 sisters and his parents. He is survived by his niece, Kathie Payne, of Richland, Indiana, whom he loved dearly and who cared for him following his wife’s death, and her husband, Steve Payne, who was his best friend and fishing buddy, niece Kim (Jerry) Chastain, of Mt. Vernon, great-niece, Chrissy (Eric) Mills, of Evansville, who assumes care of his beloved cat, Kiki, great nephew, Matt Payne, of Evansville, great nephew Jerry Lee Chastain, Mt. Vernon, and extended family and friends. Wayne requested any memorial donation be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis TN 36105 or the University of Charleston, 2300 Maccorkle Ave Se, Charleston, WV 25304. The family extends much gratitude to the loving and respectful care provided by the VNA Charlier Hospice. There will be no services.

C. Wayne Douglas

April 30, 1926 - June 24, 2015