William Wayne Best

1946 - 2022

The saying “Larger Than Life” was created for Wayne Best. Not just in stature at 6’2” but in reputation with everything he did and with everyone he met. If you were lucky enough or occasionally unlucky enough to cross paths with the extraordinary man, you would not soon forget it. From rescuing a fellow firefighter in a burning warehouse to standing up for what he thought was right, Wayne made an impression on so many.

When he was 18, he served his country in the United States Navy. It was during this time he developed a love of the ocean and over the years enjoyed boating trips and owning his own fishing boat, a 30 ft Carver named Double Trouble. It was on one such boating excursion with friends that he determined the coordinates to where he would want his final resting place and kept a map for his family to remind them of the exact location (where a trip this summer is being planned to honor his wishes).

In 1970, he became a Nashville Firefighter where he remained until his retirement in 1997. Even after retiring, he was an active member of the Nashville Firefighter Local 140 Union attending meetings up until his passing. The badge of a firefighter is the Maltese Cross which is a symbol of protection and a badge of honor. As a firefighter, nothing was more important to Wayne than honoring and respecting the traditions and legacies of the force. There are countless tales of his bravery and commitment to a career that was more a lifestyle than a job. A commitment both his sons, Billy & Brian as well as his grandson Tyler are now carrying on.

Most retirement days, Wayne could be found at home tinkering in his shop where he used his woodworking skills to create cabinets, help friends with projects and create keepsakes for the family including picture frames and rocking horses for his grandkids. He and Kathy also created beautiful stained glass pieces together. One special item he created was a firefighter memorial bench placed at the Paris Landing State Park Golf Course for fallen firefighters who had attended the “Hoggy Classic” golf retreat, an event Wayne attended every year since it’s inception 35 years ago. Wayne was a long time member of St. Stephens Catholic Community and he was a fourth degree Knight of Columbus.

A nickname says a lot about the person but it says even more about a man with multiple endearments? He was known by his many friends and fellow firefighters as “Willie”, by his loving wife as “Bear”, by his two sons and daughter as “dad” and he was Grandpa Bear or Papa Bear by his grandkids.

He was loved and cherished by many people including: his wife Kathy Best; his children, William Best Jr. (Mary Beth), Brian Dewayne Best (Kathy) and Alissa Anne Miller (Alec); his grandchildren, Tyler, Hunter (Brittany), Brooks, Benjamin Best, Preston James, Katie Ryan Best and Presley Miller; and his great grandchild Finley Best.

Gathering with family Saturday, May 7, from 11 am till 3 pm at Front Porch Farms 1188 Ben Collier Road Charlotte, TN 37036. A Celebration of Life will be held on 12 30 pm Saturday, May 7th at Front Porch Farms 1188 Ben Collier Road Charlotte, TN 37036.

In Lieu of Flowers donations may be made to Saint Jude Children's Hospital.