Wayne Hutchins, age 81, died Saturday, September 12, 2009, in his Chapel Hill home surrounded by his loving family. Wayne was born on April 30, 1928 in Orange County to the late Clyde and Nellie Hutchins.
Wayne proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was in the 175th Military Police Battalion. He later retired from the UNC Electrical Distribution Dept. where he worked for 41 years.
Wayne will be remembered as a faithful and active Heritage member of Orange United Methodist Church. In 1965 he served on the church building committee when the first educational building was constructed. As chairman of the building committee in the early 1970s, Wayne drew the plans to build the church porch and the steeple that now sits atop the sanctuary. He served the church in other capacities as well: financial secretary, head usher and cemetery caretaker.
Wayne loved his church and his generosity was apparent when he donated the flagpole that stands in the church cemetery today in honor of the veterans buried there.
Wayne is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Patsy A. Hutchins of Chapel Hill, NC; four stepchildren: Ralph Powell, Sr. of Danville, VA; Deborah Hite of Boydton, VA; Sammy Knight of Durham, NC; Teresa Kubinsky of Chapel Hill; his sister, Mildred Williams of Chapel Hill; his nieces, Terri Jones of West End, NC and Debi Bryan of Germantown, TN; his nephew, Randy Williams, Jr of Arnold, MD; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister Julia Bass.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at Orange United Methodist Church with the Reverend Ken Hall presiding. Burial with military honors will follow in the church cemetery.
Friends may visit with the family prior to the service in the church fellowship hall from 1:00-2:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Wayne’s memory may be made to the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, CB 7295, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.
On-line memorials: www.hallwynne.com. Select obituaries.
Arrangements for the Hutchins family are under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, 1113 W. Main St. in Durham.
Al Hackney
Wayne was truly a great friend and cousin that I had the pleasure of growing up with. We even shared a little time together when we were stationed in the Army in Germany and remained close friends until his earthly journey was complete. He will truly be missed.