Wayne Berry

Billy Wayne Berry, Sr., 83, a resident of Jamestown, NC, passed away on Saturday February 28, 2026, after a long and fulfilling life. He was born on November 22, 1942, in Pickens County, SC, the son of the late William Britton Berry, Jr. and Mildred Louise Owen Berry.

Wayne leaves behind his loving wife (and high school sweetheart) of 63 years, Brenda Lippard Berry. Also surviving are his three sons, Dr. Billy Wayne Berry, Jr. of Virginia Beach, VA, Gregory Collins Berry and wife Ashlie of Wilmington, NC, and Chad Owen Berry and wife Jill of Jamestown, NC; his sister, Brenda Berry Kelly of Anderson, SC, and eight granddaughters, Chase Berry, Claire Berry, Milana Berry, Ireland Berry, Catherine Berry, Caroline Berry, Finlova Berry and Carine Berry.

Known to friends and family simply as Wayne—and affectionately as B. Wayne—he was a proud graduate of Clemson University in 1966, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He began his career in Charlottesville and Richmond, VA, with Virginia Electric and Power company. In 1968, he embraced a new opportunity and accepted a job with Burlington Industries, headquartered in Greensboro, NC. What began as a single step, turned into a remarkable, nearly 30-year career. Wayne took on a wide range of assignments at Burlington, from building textile mills across the United States to leading major projects overseas in Ireland and Poland. His leadership and dedication were recognized by Burlington’s executives, who selected him for the Executive MBA Program at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. After earning his Master of Business Administration, he was appointed President of Burlington’s Chemical Division in 1986. Shortly after taking the helm, he renamed the division Sedgefield Specialties and successfully led it as a stand-alone profit center until its sale in 1997. He finished his professional career with Guilford Mills, retiring in 2007, after decades of leadership, innovation, and service.

Wayne was the ultimate “DIY enthusiast and tinkerer”—a man who found joy and purpose in every project, big or small. Whether repairing a stubborn lawnmower engine or planning his next home improvement idea, he took great pride in doing things with his own hands. His garage was more than a workshop, it was his sanctuary—a place where creativity, patience, and craftsmanship came together. He taught all of us the value of taking the time to fix things ourselves, and his legacy lives on in the countless lessons he shared about engines, cars, home repairs, and perseverance.

Above all, Wayne was a devoted family man. His heart belonged to his beloved wife, Brenda, aka “Baby Doll”, and to his three sons—Bill, Greg, and Chad. He beamed with pride when speaking about the men his sons had become, but his real joy shined like a “spotlight” when talking about his 8 granddaughters! He was a fierce advocate of their accomplishments and their most devoted fan. He always reinforced the importance of family and set an example by getting everyone together for the annual “Berry summer beach trip” and then asking that everyone to come home for Christmas. These moments—filled with laughter, togetherness, and love—are cherished memories that will continue to bind the family he so dearly loved.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday March 15, 2026, at the Hanes-Lineberry Funeral Home Sedgefield Chapel officiated by the Reverend Dr. Larry Phillips. Private entombment will be in the Sedgefield Mausoleum at Guilford Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until service time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Wayne’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.