Wayne Byron Blackwell of Grand Bay, Alabama passed on October 20th, 2026. Wayne was born on June 19th, 1938 to Francis and Angelina Blackwell in Panama City, Florida.

Wayne served in the Air Force from 1955 to 1959 A/2C USAF. After his honorable discharge from the Air Force, Wayne returned to Mobile to work for Sears Roebuck for many years, and worked for Johnson Controls for 35 years until his retirement. Wayne enjoyed staying busy, so he took a part-time job at Providence Hospital in the maintenance department.

Wayne loved staying active by going for walks and cutting grass around the neighborhood - he especially enjoyed helping the local widows by keeping their yards were beautifully cared for. He also loved to watch car racing, golf, football, and the Sci-fi channel. Whether it was a crisp piece of fried fish or a rich slice of red velvet or German chocolate cake or warm chocolate chip cookies, Wayne loved good food and the company that came with it. Wayne always made you take your shoes off before walking on the carpet because "couldn't get the carpet dirty, he said, haha". Wayne was a great Dad, Brother and Popa and he will be greatly missed.

Those left to cherish his memory are his four children, Elizabeth (Baron) Hamner, Cheryl Fearn, Kenneth (Robin) Blackwell, and Larry (Trish) Blackwell.

Wayne also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, Angela Wasden, Shaun (Lauren) Hamner, Tiffany Hamner, Aaron (Traci) Blackwell, Jordyn (Paul) Emanuel, Hosanna Blackwell, Jada Blackwell, Adam (Ruth Ann) Blackwell, Erik (Danyell) Blackwell and Alexus (Delton) Steiner; and 18 great-grandchildren Austen, Alissa, Joseph, Luke, Baylee, Maddox, Kohen, Asher, Gracelyn, Elijah, Everlee, Liam, Jessa, Amelia, Jaime, Alora, Elana, Eleanor.

Wayne was preceded in death by his father, Francis Blackwell, mother, Angelena Blackwell, daughter, Marie Blackwell and granddaughter, Somer Blackwell.

Pallbearers will be Aaron Blackwell, Kohen Blackwell, Tim Blackwell, Erik Blackwell, Shaun Hamner, Joseph Gisclair, Delton Steiner, and Paul Emanuel.

Honorary Pallbearers include Luke Hamner, Gracelyn Emanuel, Asher Blackwell, Maddox Hamner, Baylee Hamner, Elijah Blackwell, Everlee Blackwell, Liam Blackwell, Jessa Blackwell, Amelia Blackwell, Jaime Blackwell, Alora Blackwell, Elana Blackwell, and Eleanor Steiner.

The family will receive friends from 9am until the 10am Funeral Service on Friday October 30th, 2026 at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Mobile Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to THE BRIDGE PROGRAM/USA HEALTH contact Development@southalabama.edu or 251-460-7032