Wayne was born October 9, 1948, to Darrell Wayne Walling and Christine Clinton Walling in McMinnville, TN. After graduating from DuPont High School in 1965, he went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Tennessee. While attending he enrolled in ROTC and following graduation served 4 years of active duty, then 4 years in the reserves with the US Air Force flying C-130 planes during the Vietnam War and received an honorable discharge as captain.
During his time in college, he met his wife Jean Trent Walling also attending the University of Tennessee and they were married on Mar 19, 1971, prior to his graduation. He started a 35-year career in engineering taking him from Tennessee to Virginia, to Texas and then to Louisiana where he and Jean raised their 2 boys Terry Walling and Steve Walling.
Wayne was a devoted Christian with the Church of Christ all his life and instilled a love of the Lord into his 2 sons. He was a hard worker, often called to put in extra hours but when not at the plant, he enjoyed playing golf and vacationing with his family in Florida where he could play his favorite courses with his father and sons.
After retiring in 2014, Wayne and Jean moved to Dallas Texas to be near family and to spend time with his grandchildren. Every day he took care of his wife while she struggled with debilitating health challenges and he and Jean celebrated 52 years of marriage until the time of his passing.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Walling (Carrollton TX), his sister Cindy Saia (Brandon, MS) married to Joseph Saia, his brothers Lynn Walling (Hendersonville, TN) and Jay Walling (Chattanooga, TN) married to Debbie Walling, his children Terry Walling (Decatur, TX) married to Angela Walling and Steve Walling (Carrollton, TX) married to Grace Walling, and his grandchildren Sean, Sadie and Nolan Walling (Decatur, TX).
A Memorial Service will be held 2 PM Saturday, September 9th, 2023 at BridgeWay Church, 8201 FM 407, Copper Canyon, TX 75077.
