Wayne S. Smith

WEST COLUMBIA – Funeral services for Wayne Steven Smith, 74, will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at Mount Tabor Lutheran Church with visitation at the church fellowship hall beginning at 1:00. Interment will follow at Woodridge Memorial Gardens with full military honors and Masonic Rites.

Wayne was born on July 8, 1946 and passed away on January 26, 2021. He was the son of the late Duffie and Clara Hutchinson Smith. Wayne was a 1965 graduate of Brookland-Cayce High School. He joined the U.S. Navy before graduation and soon found himself on his way to basic training and then to Viet Nam where he served two tours of duty. His time of service was spent on the USS Oriskany where he made many lifelong friends.

Following his military service, Wayne worked with Delta Airlines in Columbia for a number of years. While at Delta, Wayne met Ed Smith who convinced him to come to work for him at Richland Wholesale Liquors. That was the beginning of a very successful 28-year career, again where he made lifelong friends.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 52 years, Brenda Smith; daughter, Dana Hutto (Jeff); son, Todd Steven Smith and grandchildren, Laura and Abby Hutto, and Taylor and Cooper Smith; sisters, Kathy Bailey Harrison and Martha “Sam” Cowan. Wayne was preceded in death by brother, Duffie Lee Smith, Jr.; nephews, Rodney Smith and Shane Cowan and brothers-in-law, Don Bailey and Jimmy Cowan.

Wayne was an avid Gamecock Club member for over 50 years. He loved his football, baseball, and girls’ basketball. He loved tailgating at Senn Brothers and traveling to away games with his buddies and their wives. He ALWAYS had a good time. Wayne made friends wherever he went. He was always ready with a joke or with a story to tell, even to get Sunday school started. He was one of a kind. Wayne was a fighter, no matter the surgery or the illness, and he always fought his way back until COVID ended his life.

Wayne was a member of Mount Tabor Lutheran Church, Cayce Masonic Lodge #384, Jamil Temple, American Legion Post 130, and the USS Oriskany Association. Memorials for Wayne can be made to Mount Tabor Lutheran Church, 1000 B Avenue, West Columbia, SC 29169 or American Legion Post 130, PO Box 3242, West Columbia, SC 29171.