Obituary - Wayne Allen Sheffey
Wayne Allen Sheffey, 85, of Bristol, Virginia, passed away on December 17,
2018, at the Bristol Regional Medical Center, after a very brief illness.
A lifelong resident of Bristol, Virginia, Wayne was born in the Robert
Preston House on Lee Highway, recently listed on the Virginia Landmarks
Register of Historic Places. Wayne graduated from Wallace High School and
after working for several years, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, from which
he was honorably discharged after serving as a Staff Sergeant during the
Korean Conflict. Wayne was a loyal patriot who loved his country and proudly
displayed the American flag. He worked for nearly four decades for Sperry
Univac and Raytheon Bristol in production manufacturing, before retiring.
Wayne had special respect for his many Sperry and Raytheon co-workers,
considering them beloved brothers and sisters.
Wayne has always been interested and active in a variety of sports. He
helped start up the Bristol Little League and was the first manager of the
United Commercial Travelers (UCT). After returning to Bristol from military
service, he served as league umpire with the Little League, Pony League, and
Colt League for several years. At Sperry Univac, he organized intraplant
softball and basketball leagues. The Sperry Company softball team won two
Virginia State championships. Except during his military service, he was an
active member of the Bristol YMCA from the age of 12 until his death. There,
he made friends of all ages and especially thanks the many friends he made
since his retirement.
Wayne was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Bristol,
Tennessee. In the early years, he was proud to serve as Sunday School Class
President, Men of the Church President and on the Elder and Deacon Boards.
Wayne is survived by his only daughter, Dr. Rita Arlene Sheffey of Sandy
Springs, Georgia; Rita’s partner Dr. Thomas C. Rounds; Rita’s mother Jane
Latture Sheffey of Bristol, Virginia; special friends Norma and Melissa
Garrett of Piney Flats, Tennessee; a special aunt Elizabeth “Lib” Carty of
Hampton, Virginia; and a niece, Sarah P. Van Steenis of Arden, North
Carolina. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charma Stewart Sheffey
and Albert Fairman Sheffey, and a brother Darrell Gene Sheffey.
The family will receive friends from 12 Noon to 1:00 PM Thursday, December
20, 2018 at Blevins Funeral and Cremation Services, Bristol, VA. A graveside
service will follow at 2:00 PM at the Mountain View Cemetery, 1019 E. Valley
Drive, Bristol, Virginia 24201 with the Rev. Sam Weddington, Pastor, First
Presbyterian Church of Bristol, presiding.