Wayne Thomas Wise

Wayne Thomas Wise of Willis, Texas died at Conroe Regional Medical Center February 6th with his loving family by his side. Visitation will be held at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Willis, Texas on Tuesday, February 10th from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, and funeral services will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Willis, Texas on Wednesday, February 11th at 10:00 AM. Interment at County Line Cemetery will immediately follow the funeral services. Wayne was born in Weslaco, Texas in 1936 and spent his early childhood days in the Rio Grande Valley. He moved to the Willis area in 1947, and graduated from Willis High School before earning his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education from Sam Houston State University. He had a lifelong career in Texas education, including teaching, coaching, administration, and consultation in Bellville, Van Vleck, Pearsall, Weimar, and Willis. He was promoted to Superintendent of Schools for the Pearsall Independent School District in 1965, at which time he was the youngest Superintendent in the state of Texas. He remained a Superintendent for the rest of his career, with 14 years in Pearsall, followed by 23 years in Weimar. During his days as Superintendent, he was often chosen by his peers to represent his District at the State level, and was frequently a source of advice to other Superintendents and administrators. Even after his retirement to Willis in 2001, he continued to consult with old friends in the Willis School District. In retirement, he was reminded of the impact that he had made on multiple lives when he was often contacted by former players, students, and colleagues from his extensive career. Nothing made him prouder than the success of those who were once in his charge, and he celebrated their achievements and mourned their failures as if he was still responsible for them. He was a member of the North Montgomery County Retired Teachers Association. In addition to his career in Education, he was remembered as a remarkable athlete at Willis High School, playing every sport and setting many records in his time. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, outdoorsman, and sports enthusiast, and spent every available moment enjoying these activities with his family. He had a keen interest in nature, and studied insects, plants, animals, fossils, and rocks. He loved to collect arrowheads and artifacts, coins, and just about anything else that came in more than one variety. He also loved to cook, and shared his cooking (especially his cowboy cornbread) with everyone who had time to eat. He was a Rotary Club member, and often demonstrated his varied interests to his friends at Rotary Club meetings. He also gave seminars to the Boy Scouts and other civic organizations. Wayne was preceded in death by his mother Ella Estelle (Dean) Wise, his father Thomas Jefferson Wise, and his sister Stella Ardyce Wise. He is survived by his wife Olivia Dell (Paddock)Wise; sister Shirley (Wise) Brinkley and husband William of Houston, Texas; son Michael W. Wise of Houston, Texas; son Steven D. Wise and wife Renece of Dothan, Alabama; grandson William A. Wise of Auburn, Alabama; granddaughter Laura B. Wise of Nashville, Tennessee; and nephew William K. Brinkley of Oakland, California. The family asks that any desired donations be made in memory of Wayne T. Wise to the County Line Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 1635, Conroe, Texas 77305, or to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be left at www.shmfh.com.

Wayne Thomas Wise

October 2, 1936 - February 6, 2015