Wayne L. Curless

Wayne L. Curless, 80, of Astoria, passed away at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, February 11, 2019 at his home. He was born on September 30, 1938 in Bluff City, the son of Leo and Eva (Thompson) Curless. Wayne married Betty Estes on June 10, 1961 in Bluff City. She survives. Also surviving are his two daughters, Tonya (Darryl) Holmes of Ipava and Wanette (Tom) Dwyer of Clinton; four grandchildren, DJ (Laura) Holmes, Jake (Caitlyn) Holmes, Laney Dwyer and Keegan Dwyer; four great-grandchildren; three sisters, Judy Brennan of Havana, Pauline (Dick) Atchley of Lewistown, and Janie (Jess) Atterberry of Sherman; and his brother, Paul (Betty) Curless of Murfreesboro, TN. He is preceded in death by his parents. Wayne retired from Navastar. He also was a retired minister. As a minister, he volunteered at the prison in Canton for 19 years. Wayne always took the opportunity to preach if given the chance. Wayne served in the US Navy from age 17 to 21. In the Navy Wayne worked in the boiler room of a Naval Destroyer Ship. After the service, he was a member of the Peoria VA. Wayne had a great since of humor and always liked to make people laugh. He would often refer to himself as James Bond along with telling lots of jokes to try to get a laugh. He loved to garden and would grow the biggest onions around. He also loved to fish and hunt. He would hunt everything and bring it back to Betty who would always cook it. He was also an avid golfer with his cousin Jack Curless. Wayne never met a stranger and to him, family was everything. Services will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, February 19 at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria. Harry Ellison will be officiating. The Astoria American Legion will provide military rites. A visitation will take from 1 to 3 p.m. prior to the service on Tuesday. Cremation Rites have been accorded.