Richard "Wayne" Dudley

Richard “Wayne” Dudley, 83, of Swansboro, North Carolina, formerly of South Boston, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 4, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loved ones.

A funeral service to honor Wayne’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 8, 2024, at Munden Funeral Home in Morehead City, NC, officiated by the Rev. John Grayson, Retired. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. prior to the service. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 10, 2024, at Mountain View Memorial Park in Boones Mill, Virginia, officiated by the Right Rev. Doc Loomis of Medina, OH.

Wayne was born November 21, 1940, in Roanoke, Virginia, to the late William and Margaret Dudley. Wayne was a proud 1963 graduate of Virginia Tech School of Engineering where he also served in their Corps of Cadets. He retired in 1995, at the age of 55, after a successful and dedicated career as an engineer with Georgia Pacific.

Wayne was known for his adventurous spirit, many hobbies, and the fact that he could literally fix anything. Earlier in life, he enjoyed horses, scuba diving, and his large model train collection. He always loved motorcycles, from dirt bikes to road bikes, and even raced some in senior motocross. Wayne was an avid sailor back in the day; each day of summer he could be found with his friends enjoying a Bogue Sound sail on his Hobie Cat. He loved studying family history, became an accomplished hobby genealogist, and even published historical accounts in the Franklin County Virginia Historical Society. After his children finished college, Wayne achieved a long-time dream and earned his pilot’s license. He enjoyed countless hours either flying his Cessna 150 or hanging out with his airport buddies. Remote control (RC) planes were also a passion for most of his life. He loved to collect, build, tinker with, and of course, fly them. Until a few years ago, he was an active member of the Crystal Coast RC Club. 

Wayne was fortunate to grow up with a large host of cousins, aunts, and uncles. He loved to take part in and host family reunions over the years. The stories of family adventures were some of his best. Wayne remained close to his cousins and did his best to keep all informed of family happenings. His interests and hobbies provided him with countless friends all over. As difficult as the goodbyes were, the family experienced much joy in listening in on the calls, texts, and visits in his last weeks from numerous family and friends.

Wayne loved his family. In addition to the many celebrations, he enjoyed attending his beloved grandchildren’s countless sporting and school events. Wayne moved permanently to the NC coast area in 2010, but his heart remained in Franklin County, Virginia where his extended family grew up and where he bought property with his father in 1966. “The Farm” was indeed his happy place, and he and Della were able to spend a lot of time there in recent years. 

Most importantly, Wayne loved Jesus. He and his wife, Della, relied heavily on their faith for all things but especially through his over four-year illness. We are thankful he is resting in peace, and receiving his heavenly reward.

Wayne is survived by his loving wife of nearly seven years, Della Dudley;  son, Richard Wayne Dudley Jr. (Patty) of Fairfax, VA and their children, Peyton, Christopher, and Richie; daughter, Pamela Dudley Sproul (Paul) of Morehead City, NC and their children, Abigail, Samuel, and Jackson; stepdaughter, Jennifer Pawielski (Vance) of Fredericksburg, VA, and their children, Destiny, Ralynne, and Aubrey; stepson, Michael May (Karla) of Falling Waters, WV, and their children, Sidney and Mikenna; along with a host of cousins and friends. 

Wayne is predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Patricia Linville Dudley. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in “In Memory of Wayne Dudley” to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Avenue, 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851, or at https://themmrf.org/. 

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.