Wayne Vannoy, Jr. of Columbia, passed away on Sunday, August 6, 2023, at Grandview Nursing and Rehab in Campbellsville. He was 91 years old.

Junior, as known to family and friends, was born on May 21, 1932, in the Creston area of Casey County, Kentucky. He was the son of the late Wayne Vannoy, Sr. and Marie Goode Vannoy.

Junior was a retired twenty-one-year veteran of the United States Air Force, enlisting in 1951. He achieved the rank of Master Sergeant. Junior’s Air Force career took him, Juanita, and their two children to postings in Tennessee, North Carolina, Colorado, Bangkok, Thailand, and Indiana. In Bangkok, he was in a Logistics Unit in support of the Vietnam War. Two unaccompanied tours took him to Bitburg, Germany with a missile unit and Lakenheath, England, with a United States Air Force Fighter Wing. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Air Force never left him.

After Air Force retirement in 1973, Junior worked as a security guard at the Veterans Hospital in Lexington, KY, for seven years. Junior was active in the Casey County VFW, DAV, American Legion, and formerly the Casey County Funeral Squad. He attended many parades, Veterans Day Memorials, and other events for many years.

Junior enjoyed growing a large garden every year and visiting and helping family and friends. Junior’s unique personality allowed him to make friends everywhere.

He is survived by his son, Edward Dwayne “Dee” Vannoy; daughter, Deborah (Geoffrey) Walden; granddaughter, Erin Walden (Brian Solomon); and sister, Inez Cain.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his beloved wife of sixty-seven years, Hilda Juanita Helm Vannoy, whom he wed in 1953; and two brothers, Ronald Vannoy and Dean Vannoy.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at McKinney-Brown Funeral Home with Bro. Kenny Blevins officiating.

Burial will follow in Cold Springs Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Casey County Veterans Honor Guard.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at McKinney-Brown Funeral Home.

Arrangements for Mr. Vannoy are entrusted to McKinney-Brown Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.mckinneybrown.com.