Phillip Wayne Kelley was born to Ralph Kelley and Faye Davidson-Kelley on March 18, 1946. He was the oldest of four children and the only boy. As a young boy he was very mischievous to his three sisters. He was always doing things to irritate them. Wayne was very talented and he loved to sketch. He won a scholarship to get an art degree but due to complications he was not able to finish.
Wayne helped his Granddad Davidson on the farm learning all about farming and raising cattle. When he was about 10 years old he had a prize bull in 4-H, which he was very proud of. He also won a greased pig contest; he named her "Petunia". She lived long and was a first-class brood hog. During that time Wayne started to deliver papers to many different routes with his younger sisters, Karen and Linda.
He learned to play the drums in band, and it became something he loved to do. He also played the drums for several local bands. He learned to play a mighty mean 'Wipeout'.
Wayne went to work at Traders Grocery as a carry out boy. Bud Wilgus took him under his wing and taught him how to cut meat. This was a job he took great pride in.
When Wayne was a Senior in high school he joined the National Guard. He graduated Springfield in 1965. This was during the Vietnam War. He went to basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. He told many stories about the adventures in his life. After he finished basic training he came back to Springfield and back to his job as a butcher.
In 1966 a pretty girl from Pritchett caught his eye and on September 1, 1967, he married Rama George. From that union they had a beautiful daughter named Teresa Dawn Kelley born on December 18, 1968. They bought their first family home in August 1970. They leased the Townhouse Lounge from Harold and Lil Farmer. Wayne also worked for the power company during this time. In 1971, Wayne purchased the Townhouse and made this his full time job. After they sold the Townhouse he worked a short time in Oklahoma for his cousin, Bob Mann. He then went to work for Lloyd Robins. In 1975, Wayne leased the Ideal Café. They changed the name to the
Chuckwagon Cafe and operated it until sadly, it burned down from a grease fire. In 1980 Wayne and Rama parted ways. After 1981 Wayne and Teresa moved to Garden City, Kansas. Wayne managed the Gibson Store for approximately one year. To this day Teresa can not look at a fried egg and bologna sandwich!
Over the next few years Wayne worked various jobs ranging from selling cars to mucking stalls. These were some of the darkest and toughest times for Wayne. During this time he was also taking care of his mother Faye, who had increased medical problems. Faye was eventually placed in the nursing home and passed away in 1986. Then in 1988, things began to look up for Wayne when his first grandchild, Calista Rhea Kelley was born. Then in 1989 he was thrilled to welcome his grandson, Cecil Clay Allen into his life.
Wayne moved to Johnson City, Kansas and became the head butcher at the local grocery store until 2005. In 2005 Wayne suffered a heart attack and was placed on total disability. He was depressed that he was no longer able to work so he was presented with a great gift from Teresa and his grandchildren. Doc, a rescue cat, was given to him for his birthday in 2007 and then Princess, his dog/wife, was given to him in 2008. They were an odd little family but filled with love.
Wayne never met a stranger and was loved by all his friends and family. He developed an especially close bond with his grandchildren and nieces and nephews and continued to keep building on the close bond he already had with Teresa. He also reestablished a close bond with his cousin, Bob Mann, and they spent many hours fishing and working on their bucket lists.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Faye Kelley, two nieces, Kelly-Lyn Yocher and Carrie Jo Jeffery and brother-in-law, Rick Mullins.
He is survived by his daughter, Teresa Allen and son-in-law, Bill Allen; grandchildren, Calista Kelley and Clay Allen; his three sisters, Karen Mullins and family from Florida, Linda Yocher and family from Connecticut and Nina Jeffery and family from South Dakota. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.