William “Wayne” McKinley, 99, lifelong resident of Belleville, passed away peacefully Wednesday evening the 24th of February at the Cedarhurst Nursing Home in Waterloo.
Wayne was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Gloria Collis who passed away in Belleville in 2009, two brothers, Dean McKinley of Belleville, William “Bill” McKinley of Florida and a sister, Catherine Hinerman.
Born May 20, 1921 in Freeburg he was the fourth of five children of the late, Lemuel Ransom “L. R.” McKinley and Catherine Stevenson McKinley. Shortly after Wayne was born L. R. established one of the first Chevrolet automobile dealerships in Southern Illinois, operated as L.R. McKinley and Sons Incorporated on West Main Street in Belleville from 1921 until 1975. In 1949, Wayne established the satellite dealership known as O’Fallon Motor Co. Inc. in O’Fallon, Illinois selling new and used Chevrolet cars for nearly 55 years from the same location on South Lincoln Avenue.
He was the last surviving, original founder of the Bank of O’Fallon, in O’Fallon Illinois which he helped to establish in 1959 and was an honorable member of Kiwanis International for 65 years. Wayne was a businessman, a philanthropist, and well-respected member of the communities of Belleville and O’Fallon and was known for his trademark smile and ever-present suit and tie, even underneath his coveralls when working on his antique car collection. He was widely known throughout the United States and worldwide for his love and adventures with antique automobiles. He was a collector’s collector who loved to show his collection and share his vast knowledge about early automotive history. He was a friend to all who knew him; kind and generous of his time, his wit, his wisdom, and his possessions and never spoke ill of anyone.
He is survived by his:
- Son: Steven McKinley, and wife Marcy of Waterloo
- Daughter: Beverly of Paducah, Kentucky
- Two grandchildren
- Three great grandchildren
- Many, many, many friends
Visitation: Visitation from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Saturday, February 27, 2021 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, February 27, 2021 at Kurrus Funeral Home, with Dr. Joe Scheets officiating Interment will follow at Green Mount Protestant Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
10 Comments To "William “Wayne” McKinley"
#1 Comment By Adriane Bloyer On February 26, 2021 @ 1:06 pm
Wayne was always smiling, and he was a friendly, gentle soul. Though he had many accomplishments, I will always remember him most for his love of those beautiful antique cars.
#2 Comment By Adriane Bloyer On February 26, 2021 @ 1:13 pm
Waynes favorite past time.
#3 Comment By Jane Higgerson On February 26, 2021 @ 1:47 pm
We will miss our dear friend. Wayne brought many smiles and hugs into our life. We luv ya whole bunches, Mr.Tracye and Jane Higgerson, Freeburg Il.
#4 Comment By Jane Higgerson On February 26, 2021 @ 2:34 pm
We will miss you and love you forever, Tracye and Jane Higgerson, Freeburg, Illinois
#5 Comment By STEPHEN & LYNN WILFONG On February 26, 2021 @ 7:25 pm
Wayne was a great friend and will be greatly missed not only by us, but for a lot of people nation wide. His contribution to the antique car world was beyond compare.
#6 Comment By Robert Wells On February 27, 2021 @ 8:12 am
Those of us who knew Wayne were not only blessed, but were provided with an understanding that kindness, compassion and humility are not signs of weakness. Wayne’s inner peace , his humor and his lapel pins spoke volumes. They reminded us of why we called Wayne and his contemporaries “the greatest generation .” God bless
#7 Comment By Raymond Moot On February 27, 2021 @ 10:20 am
Dear Wayne, you were a Prince to all, but to me you were a dear friend and father-figure who was always there for me with your wise counsel. I shall remember you always. Rest in Peace.
#8 Comment By Glenn Albers On February 28, 2021 @ 8:24 pm
I was fortunate to be his banker for a few years!! We always enjoyed his friendly smile and of course his jacket and tie! A true GENTLEMAN and wished all of our customers were as easy to work with!!
God bless you and your family!! It was always a delight working with Beverly-a wonderful lady from Paducah!! I hope all is well!! Take Care
#9 Comment By SIU-e Prof. Emeritus Myrna Schild On March 2, 2021 @ 1:46 pm
Wayne was a giant in the car hobby. He loved the cars for their historical significance, not for their monetary value. My husband, Jim and I belong to 15 car clubs and we visited with some of them to see his collection at the dealership in O’Fallon. His ties to Glenn Prey in Broken Arrow, OK were evident with the different experimental Cords for us to see. We have the prototype Auburn body, 001, from their business. Wayne and Glenn had an adventuresome spirit and produced some great cars. Steve recently visited our collection to see our 1936 Cord Phaeton to compare it to his father’s Super-charged Cord. I went to Gloria’s wake at the St. Clair Country Club in 2009 and, even then amidst of the sorrow, Wayne was planning to take his annual trip to the Hershey (PA) Fall Meet. He was always the first familiar face we saw when we went there. As editor for the Classic Car Club and Rolls Royce Club, Jim has written photo articles on Wayne’s love of antique cars and plans an Obituary in the next issue. In “Wayne’s World”, he was one of a kind– he will be sorely missed by the many who knew him.
#10 Comment By Gary Smith On March 18, 2021 @ 7:28 am
Will miss him very much! So sorry to hear. My sympathies to his family. Enjoyed getting togerher with him for many, many Hershey, PA Fall Antique Car Meets over the years. Met him through us being owners of the same make of antique car, a Moyer car of which only 10 exist and which he always told me, was his favorite. God’s comfort and peace be with you.