Wayne Battles 77, Passed away at his residence Tuesday, April 16, 2019.
Earl “Wayne” Battles was born on July 29, 1941 at St. Joseph Hospital to Dub and Oleta Battles of Fort Worth. A life-long resident of the Fort Worth and Haltom City areas, Wayne was baptized at Birdville Baptist Church at the age of 9 and was a graduate of Birdville High School Class of 1959.
Following high school, Wayne obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Arlington State College. Upon graduation, Wayne received a ROTC commission in the United States Army where he served in Germany from 1964 to 1968 achieving the rank of Captain.
Starting at the age of 15, Wayne worked a variety of jobs including Worth Food Market (later Piggly Wiggly), Southwestern Bell, Nestle Chocolate, ARA Manufacturing, and Freeman Manufacturing from where he retired in 2009.
On June 23, 1997, Wayne was giving the most precious gift and second chance at life when the loving Fankhauser family donated the heart of their beloved daughter, Lindsay. Lindsay’s heart gave Wayne another 21 ½ years of life and opportunity to be an amazing “Papa” to his six grandchildren as well as a powerful witness, inspiration, and volunteer to Donate Life Texas.
Wayne was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. He loved fishing, golf, dove hunting, and being with his grandchildren. Throughout his life, Wayne was active in his community and church serving on numerous church committees and as a deacon for many years. He was an Eagle Scout, a 32 Degree Mason, and a 50-year member of Haltom-Riverside Lodge. In 2013, Wayne was awarded one the highest honors a Mason can achieve, the Golden Trowel Award, recognizing his outstanding and exemplary services to his community. Most recently, Wayne was recommended to the Northeast Tarrant County Chamber of Commerce for recognition as a Hometown Hero.
Wayne was proceeded in death by his father and mother, LW (Dub) and Oleta Battles as well as his son Greg Battles. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sharon Battles, son Kirk Battles of Florida, daughter Kimberly Battles Webb, son-in-law Richard Webb of Cibolo, Texas and six grandchildren Reid, Blake, Melody and Baylor Battles of Denton, and Maddie and Jake Webb of Stephenville. He is also survived by his sister Vicky Battles of Lancaster.
In Lieu of Flowers the family is requesting donations to be made to
LifeGift. The link to the LifeGift website follows:
https://www.lifegift.org/