Wayne Finley Templeton

Wayne Finley Templeton

Wayne Finley Templeton, a devoted family man, faithful servant, and lifelong outdoorsman, passed away on September 9, 2025. Born in Laurens, South Carolina on September 22, 1934, to James Lee Templeton, Sr. and Sadie Finley Templeton, Wayne was the middle son of three boys. His childhood was filled with simple joys of the outdoors-fishing, hunting, and working on his maternal grandfather’s farm, where he hoed or picked cotton, proudly earning a dollar on his best days. Through their outpouring of love, Wayne’s daughter, Dawn and her partner Chris opened their beautiful Lake Lanier home to him, where he spent the final five years of his life and was able to continue his love of fishing.

Wayne graduated from Laurens Comprehensive School, a 5-story building that held grades 1 through 12, and then went on to Presbyterian College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1956.

Wayne was a standout football and track athlete in high school. He was named “Player of the Week” in 1952 for his outstanding performance in one gridiron battle where he rushed for over 150 yards and scored 3 touchdowns. Wayne was also an excellent diver. He learned how to dive at Rainbow Lake, which was an old rock quarry in Spartanburg County. He joined the National Guard in high school and was in the guard for 8 years.

Wayne’s first job out of college was with Milliken. He was a trainee in the Industrial Engineering department. After that, he requested experience in the plant so was put on 3rd shift in the spinning room. He was with Milliken from 1956 to 1963. After leaving Milliken, he worked for United Merchants in Horsecreek Valley (Aiken County). He started at Seminole Mill as a Department Manager then went to Bath Mill as Yarn Mill Superintendent. He then bounced back and forth between Aiken, SC and Union, SC and worked his way up to Plant Manager. He was with United Merchants for 23 years (1963 to 1986). After that, he worked several years at Glen Raven Mills in Kings Mountain, NC and Stonecutter Mill in Spindale, NC before retiring in 1995.

Wayne met his beautiful wife, Barbara, at the Hub Drive-in that her parents owned and she was a car hop. They married in September of 1959 and were married for 51 years until Barbara’s death in January of 2011. They enjoyed dancing, traveling, and spending time with friends.

Wayne spent many a weekend dove or quail hunting with his buddies and his favorite bird dog, Tag. He was also an avid golfer with a 10 handicap in his prime, winning the Inman First Baptist Church Golf League tournament in 1999. He was a member of numerous Baptist churches throughout his life, where he taught Sunday School and sang in the choir.

Wayne is pre-deceased by his wife, Barbara, and his brother James Lee Templeton, Jr. He is survived by his brother Robert Allen Templeton (Linda), sister-in-law, Dianne Templeton, four children, Lee Templeton (Greg Castro), Ann Howard (Tim), Debra Patrick (David), Dawn Templeton (Chris Soffera); five grandchildren, Seth Wiles (Blair), Maegan Cordell (Zane), Finley Nadler (Sam), Adam Patrick (Samantha), Alyssa Howard; and five great-grandchildren: Kyle Cordell, Jack Wiles, Lucy Nadler, Charlie Kate Cordell, and Hazley Wiles.

Visitation will be held at Inman First Baptist Church, Inman, SC at 2:00 PM on Sunday, September 14, 2025, with services following at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Inman First Baptist Church (Full-time Christian Service Scholarship Fund) or to The American Cancer Society.