Wayne Andrew Herndon

Wayne Andrew Herndon, 96, of Rock Hill, SC, passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at his home.  A funeral service celebrating Wayne’s life will begin in the church sanctuary at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at Eastview Baptist Church, 1430 Gordon Rd. Rock Hill, SC with Rev. Rick Martin and Rev. Chris Mitchell officiating.  Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery.  Following the burial the family will receive friends in the church Family Life Center. 

Wayne was born on July 3rd, 1929 to the late George and Annie Lutz Herndon. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of 13 at the Bethlehem Church of Kings Mountain, NC.  He attended Sunnyside Elementary School, and was a Tryon High School graduate. He attended a number of trade schools earning skills to assist in business and leadership roles. Wayne moved from Cleveland County, NC to the Bethesda Community west of Rock Hill in 1947.  In Spring of 1953 he met the love of his life, Bettye Hill, and they were married April 25, 1954 at First Baptist Church Rock Hill, SC and they later had three wonderful children. 

Wayne was a charter member of Eastview Baptist Church which was established in 1958 where he was elected as one of the first deacons and served off and on throughout the years. He also served on numerous church committees as well as leading numerous Mission Projects including leading trips to Ecuador, Haiti, an Indian Reservation in South Dakota, and additionally the building of Eastview Baptist Church, construction projects at Camp McCall, and working with the York County Feed the Hungry Program.

Wayne was employed by Bowater Carolina where he started as a security guard and worked his way up to the Safety and Personnel Department where he retired after more than 30 years of service.  In addition to his time at Bowater, Wayne was also worked on his father’s farm and his personal farm.  What was once a dairy farm later transitioned to a beef cattle farm under Wayne’s direction and also produced hay. Among his many accomplishments Wayne was recognized as the SC Young Farmer of the Year in 1959, York Electric Cooperative High Voltage Hero of 2016, and Outstanding Cattleman of York County in 2023.  He was a proud veteran of the US ARMY.

Wayne is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Bettye, his children Beth Thompson (Ed) and Jean LeMaster, his daughter-in-law Kimberly Herndon along with his siblings; Audrey Branch, Dorothy Williamson (Edward), Jeanette Poole, Hilda Miller and Linda Pym.  He also leaves behind his grandchildren; Crystal Williams, Cynthia Vinson (Wayne), Julie Ratchford (William), Ashley Herndon, and William Herndon.  In addition, he leaves behind his great grandchildren; Noelle Vinson, Ethan Ratchford, Hannah Ratchford, and Samuel Ratchford. 

In addition to his parents, Wayne was also preceded in death by his son Michael Wayne Herndon and his sister Gail Boyd.

Wayne will always be remembered for his unwavering faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his desire to share the gospel with everyone he interacted with, the unconditional love he shared with his family, his stewardship of the land he had the pleasure to farm, and the service he contributed to the community and abroad.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Eastview Baptist Church; 1430 Gordon Rd., Rock Hill, SC 29732 or the charity of one’s choice.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.brattonfuneralhome.com.

Bratton Funeral Home in York is honored to serve the Herndon family.

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