Wayne Buckley

Wayne Buckley of East Peoria passed away peacefully on Saturday January 9, 2021 at Serenity Assisted Living in East Peoria. He was born June 14, 1922 in Winchester, IL to William and Clara Buckley. He married Pauline Jones on January 17, 1943 in Missouri. Surviving are his four children, Sharon (Bill) Webber of Morton, Bill Buckley of Greenville, TX, Jim (Vickie) Buckley of Star Valley Ranch, WY, and Lori (Victor) Laredo of East Peoria. He has 12 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. His parents, his brother Don and wife Pauline preceded him in death. Wayne was a proud Veteran serving in WW II in the Army Air Corps from June 1942 until November 1945. He enjoyed telling many stories of his travels while in service as well as stories of his brother Don, who lost his life in WWII. After the war, he and Pauline moved to East Peoria and he began working at Rossetter Ford, where he worked until retirement in 1987. Wayne was also a lifelong Cardinals fan, and told stories of attending games as a child, watching the Gas House Gang, and seeing Dizzy Dean pitch. However his all time favorite player was Ted Williams, and though he wasn’t a Cardinal, Wayne knew all his stats. Wayne also was a story teller, in which his family lovingly numbered his many stories, and when he began a story at a family dinner, his children would call out the number of the story. He loved to tell the stories and laugh until he cried. He was a jokester and would tease his children, grandchildren and their friends. He was a great father, grandfather, and friend to many. His family would like to thank the staff of Serenity, especially the memory care team, who lovingly took care of their father. Another special note of thanks goes to Harbor Light Hospice for all they did for Wayne and his family during his last days. Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Southside Mission, which he and Pauline supported for years.