Wayne Albert Walz

Wayne Albert Walz, of Plainville, Kansas, passed away on August 18, 2025, at Redbud Village in Plainville, at the age of 83. He was born on March 13, 1942, to Albert T. and Leona L. (Shubert) Walz, in Hays, Kansas.

His father died in 1943, when Wayne was less than a year old. Wayne grew up in Ellis, Kansas, where he was known by his adopted name, Wayne Blackburn. He graduated from Ellis High School in 1960 and went on to attend Fort Hays Kansas State College, earning his master's degree in English in 1968. He later earned a Master's degree in school counseling at Emporia State University.

Wayne taught English to students in several grade levels over the course of his career, including at Kearney State College and Colby Community College. He was also a counselor at Hays High School and Osborne High School.

He married Mary Jane Thorpe on July 12, 1983, in Americus, Kansas. The couple later moved to Ellis and resided there until his retirement from delivering papers for the Hays Daily News. Although they divorced in 2012, they remained close friends until Mary’s death on May 16, 2024.

Wayne enjoyed history, traveling, reading, golf and was a lifelong fan of baseball. One of the highlights of his life was attending the Red Sox vs. Royals game in Fenway Park on May 30, 2000. The Red Sox won, 8-2. He wrote, “Ruth, Johnson, Williams, DiMaggio, Foxx, etc. etc. ALL played here when baseball meant something besides money.”

Wayne is survived by his daughters, Laura (Jeff) McGee, of Palco and Ann (Mark) Knipp, of Damar, and their families; sister, Peggy Blackburn, of Russell; and brother-in-law Bert Phillips, of Ellis; and his beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Dolores Elliott, Diann Langley and Judy Phillips; and nephews Randy Elliott and Jason Langley.

Private graveside service will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery in Ellis, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to the Ellis Recreation Commission for upkeep of the East 9th Street ballpark and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd, Plainville, KS 67663.