Wayne Cornwell, 80, of Buda, Texas, passed away peacefully on the evening of January 29, 2019, surrounded by his daughters, Cassandra and Katrina, sons-inlaw, Matt and Bryan, granddaughters, Maddy and Kenzie and caregiver, Diana.

Wayne was preceded in death by his loving wife of 48 years, Eileen Cornwell and his mother, Lucille C. Harber.

He is survived by his daughters, Cassandra Conway, Katrina Ray, Nancy Rebarchik, and Sabrina Sawyer; sons-in-laws, Matthew Conway and Bryan Ray; sons, Stephen Cornwell, Michael Cornwell, Kenneth Cornwell and Wes Hedlund Sr.; granddaughters, Maddison Conway, Mackenzie Ray and Kaylee Rebarchik; and grandsons, Christopher Cornwell and Jonathan Cornwell.

He is also survived by his brothers, Jerry Cornwell and William Cornwell; and sister, Helen Rose.

Wayne’s love of cars and people led him to one of his earliest jobs working at a service station.  He also served in the Army Reserves. He went on to find work in the mailroom at Sandia Labs and worked his way up to becoming a Draftsman at Philco Ford Aerospace in the early 60s.  He remained there as it transitioned from Loral Aerospace and onto Lockheed Martin retiring after 30+ years. He truly enjoyed retirement and his freedom to jump in his car and head out on the open road whenever his wanderlust spirit hit him.

His greatest joy in life, second to his children and grandchildren, was spending time with his friends. Often times he could be found at the local pizza joint or the monthly luncheons with his friends of many years. Wayne loved road trips, camping and fishing.  He also loved just sitting outside on his porch or in his garage talking with anyone that passed by.  Although not much of a lover of shopping, he knew how to find a good bargain. If ever separated from him in Kmart, you only had to look for him under the flashing “blue light” special.

He was a big man with a loving heart that would not hesitate to help a friend out in a moment’s notice.   He was an amazing and loving dad and always made sure his children and grandchildren knew how much he loved them.  He worked very hard to create opportunities for his children that he never had.  He was very proud of all his children’s accomplishments.

Wayne’s legacy will be his love for his family and his commitment to ensure they had better, to pass on to his grandkids his love of old cars and the importance of cherishing lifelong friends and to always appreciate a good joke.

To his daughters, he was larger than life.  He will be greatly missed and there will forever be a void where his commanding presence once was in their daily lives.

The family would like to thank the amazing care provided by dad’s loving caregivers, without these three, life would not have been “a thousand itches of heaven”; Alyssa Kelly, Diana Garcia and Dominque Robinson.

Dad, until we meet again, we will cherish all our memories.