George Wayne Ashbee passed away on June 13, 2025, at age 78. He left this world peacefully, surrounded by love, and holding his daughter’s hand. Wayne was a dedicated father, respected attorney, and accomplished writer whose life reflected compassion, intellect, and genuine curiosity.
Born on September 10, 1946, Wayne grew up on Fay Court in Mobile’s Crichton neighborhood. He graduated from Murphy High School in 1964, earned his undergraduate degree from the University of South Alabama in 1969, and completed his law degree at the University of Alabama School of Law in 1973. At law school, Wayne was recognized for his advocacy skills, earning membership in Phi Delta Phi, the Order of Barristers, Bench & Bar, and winning the John A. Campbell Moot Court Competition.
He practiced law for more than 45 years in a variety of areas ultimately focusing on Social Security and disability law. Throughout his career, Wayne also volunteered his time advocating for vulnerable youth at the James T. Strickland Youth Center.
Wayne was actively engaged in his community, serving as Chairman of the Board of SOMI House and President of the Sertoma Club. He was a longtime member of Christ United Methodist Church, where he was a Stephen Minister, and expressed his faith through service and fellowship.
A lover of the outdoors, Wayne introduced his children to backpacking, kayaking, and camping, eventually undertaking memorable climbs of Mt. Shasta and Mt. Washington. He was also a skilled photographer, whose work was proudly displayed at home alongside extensive photographic equipment. Music was another lifelong hobby—he frequently played guitar, performing favorites such as “Mr. Bojangles” for his grandchildren and writing original songs kept in notebooks scattered around his home.
Of his many interests, his biggest passion was storytelling. He regularly attended local writer’s workshops and Mobile Writers’ Guild meetings. Wayne was an accomplished writer, authoring a plethora of published essays, short stories, and even a true crime novel, which he poured many hours of research into. In recognition of his talent, he won the Irish Network Mobile Bay writing award in 2016, attending the Dublin Writers Retreat—a meaningful highlight in his literary journey. Not only did he enjoy crafting stories, but he was an avid reader from an early age and made sure to instill the importance of literacy in his children.
Wayne had deep affection for animals, sharing his home with many beloved pets, most recently his loyal blue heeler, Jackaroo, and his tabby cat, Gracie.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, George Windell Ashbee and Grace Etta Boutwell Ashbee.
He is survived by his children, Christopher Ashbee (Hannah), Blake Ashbee (Carrie), and Alexandra Callaghan (Ethan); sister, Sharon Saucer; his cousin and trusted confidante, Erskine “Erk” Ashbee (Lea); and five beloved grandchildren: Bishop, Pierce, Hugh, August, and Clover, all of whom he cherished dearly.
Wayne’s legacy of thoughtful service, artistic expression, and deep family bonds continues to inspire his family and friends. He was truly one of a kind, and will be sorely missed by those who knew and loved him, forever.
The funeral will be held on June 27, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Radney Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 1:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to SOMI Club, an organization close to Wayne’s heart.
