Rocky Mount -

With his beloved wife of sixty-two years by his side, Wayne Marshall passed away peacefully early Friday morning, July 26, 2024 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina at the age of eighty-four years. Wayne's life began in Randolph County, NC on December 22, 1939 as the youngest child born to Arthur V. and Gladys F. Marshall. He later met the love of his life in a girl from South Carolina, who became his life-long best friend and never left his side.  Together they navigated the journey that would lead to Wayne graduating with a B.S. in accounting from Western Kentucky University.

Wayne was a very proud family man who worked hard to create fun memories for the ones he loved. Family was always his top priority, and very little got in the way of his time being a wonderful husband, a great father, an incredible grandfather, and an all-around good friend.

He especially enjoyed his time in his work shop that he built with his own two hands. In that shop, Wayne built many beautiful pieces of furniture, clocks, and gifts for family and friends. He was quite the woodworker.

Wayne always found time for fun, to laugh and joke, and of course, having a drink with friends. His sense of humor was what made Wayne so special.  He always seemed to be looking for a punchline to life. If he ever cracked a joke on your behalf, you can rest assured he loved you.

Wayne was a proud member of Clemson University's IPTAY Club for over 30-years. In the Marshall home, Saturdays in the fall meant Clemson football in Death Valley. He seldom missed a home game during those 30+ years.  He could be seen headed south with his family and friends in a car covered in Clemson magnets and flags flying. He prided himself in his tailgates, and would often be set-up, with food cooking, at least six hours before kick-off.  Win or lose, he wore his orange with pride, and he wore it often.  During basketball season, Wayne would rarely miss a home game.  It didn't matter to him that he had to be at the office the next day (during tax season as a CPA), he was spending time with his son in Clemson.  Later, Wayne found immense joy in taking his grandkids to ball games, and proudly made each one a member of the Tiger Cub Club program. Before each game, it was routine to rub the tiles with their names on them, or touch each of their bricks that are still in Death Valley today.  Wayne was loud about his passion for Clemson University, and he would insist that this obituary contain a big GO TIGERS in it somewhere!

As a founding partner of the Gould Killian CPA Group in Asheville, Wayne also enjoyed a successful professional career, establishing many longtime friendships with co-workers and clients alike. He was very civic minded with a servant's heart, maintaining an active membership with the Kiwanis Club; serving as treasurer for the North Carolina Association of CPAs (NCACPA); and proudly volunteering his time to various needs across the Asheville community.

Wayne leaves a lifetime of cherished memories for his devoted wife, Judy; their son, Kenny Marshall and wife, Carisa of Manteo; sister, Peggy Joyce Alseth of Jacksonville, Fla; and brother, Arthur V. "Sonny" Marshall, Jr. of Greensboro.

He was especially proud of and adored his grandchildren, Savannah Marshall Leonard and husband, Gage of Wallops Island, Va, and Logan Alexander Marshall of Manteo; great-grandson, Jaxton Wayne Leonard, and great-granddaughter, Delaney Rae Leonard, due to join the family in November, 2024.

He will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, family friends and other extended relatives.

At Wayne's request, there will not be a formal memorial service. His family will honor him by loving their family the way he loved his.