WEST FRANKFORT – Wayne M. Webb, age 66, of West Frankfort, Illinois, passed away Sunday, September 15, 2024, ending his 5-year battle with squamous cell carcinoma. Wayne was born on June 20, 1958, in Chicago, Illinois. He later moved to West Frankfort where he spent his years raising his three children and spoiling his five grandchildren. He was so proud of his family; always showing off the latest photos and raving about their latest adventures.

In his younger years, Wayne enjoyed working on cars and listening to music in his garage. He drove motorcycles and raced drag cars. Wayne was almost child-like in his infatuation with law enforcement. If he spotted any law enforcement action, he was calling one, or all three, of his kids immediately to re-hash every detail. And if there was an award for greatest neighborhood watch member, he’d have won it every time.

These hobbies pale in comparison, though, to his passion for driving a school bus. Wayne spent over 30 years in his working career driving a school bus. He was dedicated to the safety and protection of each student in his care. He loved his bus kids, and they loved him even more. Wayne was not a man of many words, but he was known for his kindness, and he left a lasting impact on all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence & Margaret Webb; step-mother, Jane Webb; grandparents, Nellie & Jess Webb and Margaret & Carl Miller; aunts, Jessi, Veleta, Opal, Sally, and Lucy; and uncles, Floyd, Kenneth, Harold, Donald, Alonzo, Leroy, and Albert; and brothers-in-law, Richard Jude Sr. and Charles Leon Wininger.

He is survived by his children, Kyle (Morgan) Webb, Kailyn (Matt) Kramer, and Kristin (Collin) Fletcher; grandchildren, Allaina, Mattilyn, Brayden, Jeremiah, and Wrenley; siblings, Margaret Jude, Larry (Mary) Webb, Linda (Dave) Landers, and Patti Wininger; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 11 a.m., at Tower Heights Cemetery in West Frankfort, IL.

In lieu of flowers, the family is collecting donations to purchase a memorial bench for Johnston City Schools where Wayne spent the majority of his bus-driving career.

The Union Funeral Home in West Frankfort is in charge of arrangements.