Windle Wayne Wilhite

Windle Wayne Wilhite, 79, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2025, at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center–Hillcrest.

Wayne was born on February 24, 1946, in Brawley, California, to Dorothy Mae McCormack and Alvis Randal Wilhite Sr. At just nine months old, he moved with his family to Waco, Texas, where he grew up and began what would be a life defined by adventure, hard work, and wholehearted love.

Throughout his years, Wayne embraced a spirit of curiosity and energy that led him to countless hobbies: wrestling, hill climbing, car racing, dune buggy and motorcycle repair, and even commercial fishing. He loved to keep his hands busy and his heart open, never shying away from a challenge.

On August 26, 1988, Wayne married the love of his life, Joann Kay Wilhite, in a beautiful backyard ceremony. Their nearly four decades together were filled with devotion, respect, and the kind of genuine love that inspired everyone around them. For the past 14 years, Wayne was known for his “coffee pot love notes,” a daily ritual that captured how deeply and consistently he adored Joann. Together, they spent their retirement years cherishing every day in each other’s company, often traveling in their RV across state lines. Wayne especially loved vacations to visit Dudley, Misty, and Mason in Houston, where he would spend his days wrapped in unconditional love and support.

Wayne dedicated 44 years of his career to Oak Farms, where he retired as a Controller overseeing Waco, Temple, and Austin. His commitment to excellence and steady leadership left a lasting mark on his colleagues. Beyond work, he found community and purpose as an active member of Bosque County Cowboy Church for the last 10 years, serving faithfully as a Comptroller for the past five. His faith was unwavering, and the friendships he built there became family.

To know Wayne was to know kindness. He had the rare gift of stepping into people’s lives as the father figure, brother, or friend they needed most. His smile was constant, his chap stick always in reach, and his phone always answered. His presence was a steady reassurance that no one ever stood alone.

Wayne is survived by his loving wife, Joann Wilhite; his son and daughter, Dudley and Misty Meredith, and their son Mason Meredith; his daughter, Lynn Slovak, and her family. Wayne is also survived by numerous family members who loved him wholeheartedly, including brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

A special thank you goes to Ned and Darla Meister, whose friendship grew into family over the years with their dedication, loyalty and support. Another special thank you goes to Mike and Hallie Ochoa and their daughters, Scarlett and Violett, for being an eternal light in Wayne’s life. A final thank you goes to Larry and KaShawna Nelson for never shying away from the true definition of family.

Wayne’s legacy of love, faith, and laughter will live on with each person who had the honor of meeting him, until the day we are reunited with Christ.