Wayne Allen Faulkner was born on September 5, 1950, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Grover Cleveland Faulkner Jr and Rosalene (Vaughn) Faulkner.

Wayne grew up in Forsyth, Georgia, with his parents and siblings Barbara-Jan, Joan and Stanley. He often talked about fishing as a child and hunting small game. He also enjoyed picking blackberries and then walking three miles into town to sell them to his teachers for 25 cents a gallon.

Wayne grew into a man who held a high standard for himself of honesty and integrity. He was always quick to lend a helping hand because it was the right thing to do. His motto was, "Always choose the hard right over the easy wrong." He enjoyed serving the public and, throughout his life, stood for justice. He was a collector of fishing poles and gave away more than he kept, mainly to children who were or might be interested in fishing.

On July 22, 1981, Wayne married Karen Sue (Stockebrand), his best friend and soulmate. They were joined in marriage in the United Methodist Church, Yates Center, Kansas. They enjoyed a marriage full of travels around the world, fishing, camping and raising their children. Wayne and Karen recently celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary, by visiting his family in Georgia, Jekyll Island, and picking peaches.

Wayne spent 22 years in the US Army. He was assigned to Fort Benning, GA; Fort Stewart, GA; Fort Hood, Texas; and Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He spent two tours in Germany and a year in Korea, served a deployment for training in Egypt, and served multiple tours to Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait. He served as a Combat Medic in the Gulf War and retired in 1999. Upon retirement, he and Karen moved their family to Yates Center. Soon thereafter, he became a Kansas Highway Patrolman and retired after 15 years of service. Wayne attended the KHP Academy at the age of 50, he was the oldest to attend and graduate from the academy. Once retired, Wayne was elected Woodson County Sheriff, and he served for three and one-half years. Wayne was then elected as a Woodson County Commissioner. Wayne continued serving the people and working under this title until his death. Wayne dedicated his life to serving God, his country, his family, and the people he loved.

Wayne is survived by his wife Karen of the home; his children: Tammy Faulkner Seymour of Barnesville, GA, Chuck and Jennifer (Faulkner) Bolden of Forsyth, GA, Adam and Ashley (Faulkner) Ferguson of Iola, KS, Brandon and Kristie (Mies) Faulkner of Andale, KS, his grandchildren: Courtney Collins (Macon, GA), Jacob Collins (Decatur, GA), Madison Collins (Forsyth, GA), Trey and Kristen (Sarver) Bolden (Griffin, GA), Brett Bolden (Forsyth, GA), Brice Bolden (Forsyth, GA), Alex, Addison and Joseph Ferguson (Iola, KS). He was excited to know that his newest grandchild and fishing buddy would be arriving in April 2024. Great grandchildren: Carson Bolden, Emily Ziegenfuss and Leighton Bolden.

Wayne is preceded in death by his parents Grover Cleveland Jr. and Roselene. His father and mother-in-law Milton and Alberta Stockebrand, his son-in-law Malcom Seymour, a brother-in-law Raymond Stockebrand, sister-in-law Yvonne Stockebrand Ireland and special family friend, Papa Harlon DeLoach.

The funeral service will be at the United Methodist Church in Yates Center, KS on December 2, 2023 at 11:00.

A message from the family:

In this time of sudden and profound loss, we're reminded of the unpredictability of life and the importance of aligning our journey with our Heavenly Father. Wayne showed us that life's challenges couldn't dim the pride he took in the path he made for himself and his family. He never lost touch with his roots and possessed a genuine empathy for others in facing their own challenges. He leaves behind a legacy that's a shining source of inspiration, having fostered a sense of community growth and seeing promise in our younger generation.

We would like to extend a heartfelt gratitude to all the first responders, flight crew, police officers, and Kansas Highway Patrol. Their promptness and genuine care in handling this tragic event have not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. Thank you for your commitment to ensuring the safety of our community, as well as being a source of comfort and reassurance during challenging times.