Wayne Willingham

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Wayne Willingham, a distinguished historian and embodiment of Southern grace, who left us on September 20, 2025. He was a man whose life was devoted to preserving the memories of the Civil War, and treating every person with respect and kindness.

Wayne was born and raised in the South, where he spent his entire life in Paulding County, steeped in its traditions, steeped in its history. From his earliest days, he displayed a curiosity about bygone eras—listening to elders talk of days long past, exploring dusty archives, and reading every history book he could find. This passion blossomed into a lifelong love for the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Wayne was not only a member, but for the past twenty-nine years, served as Commander of the William J. Hardee Camp. Wayne began his journey as a mason with the Beulah lodge before transferring to the Dallas Lodge.

Whether as a teacher, writer, or speaker, he worked tirelessly to illuminate the past—not to romanticize it, but to reckon with it honestly, to draw from it lessons, and to pass it forward so that others might understand who we are and where we came from.

As a historian, Wayne earned the admiration of peers and the gratitude of students. His lectures were more than recitations of facts—they were stories, filled with local color, moral insight, and a profound sense of place. He had a gift for making history feel alive: the creak of old floorboards, the hush of a chapel in a moonlit evening, the daring and folly of people whose choices set the path we now walk. He contributed to many published books on the civil war, gave public talks, mentored young scholars, and volunteered with historical societies, always insisting that knowing one’s roots can ground us in humility even as it inspires hope.

More than anything, Wayne loved his family, especially his nieces and nephews. He is survived by his sisters: Debbie Parish and Donna Ketchum; brothers and sisters in law: Wesley (Kathy) Willingham and Jeff (Shari) Willingham. His nieces and nephews: Jason (Erica), Josh (Jena) and Jeremy (Amanda) Parish. Amanda (Dwight) Garrett, Tyler (Madison), Emily, Zachary and Molly Willingham, great nieces and nephews, which all referred to him as “Uncle Wayne”; Jonah, Abbey, Sam, Jaleigh, Jax, Jasper, Jacie, Liam and Lainey Parish.

Wayne is preceded in death by his parents: Doy and Annie Jean Willingham, sister: Sharon Willingham as well as his brothers in law: Bill Ketchum and Larry Parish.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 4:00 pm in the Sam Clark Chapel of Clark Funeral Home in Hiram with Reverend Todd Tibbitts officiating, with multiple speakers from the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Honorary pallbearers will be Waynes’s nephews Jason, Josh, Jeremy, Zachary, Tyler, Jonah, Sam, Jax and Jasper, as well as members of the General William J. Hardee camp. 

The family will receive friends prior to the service on Saturday starting at 2:00 pm until the time of the service.

Wayne’s legacy wasn’t only scholarly. He was, in every measure, a true Southern gentleman.