Wayne Sidelinger

Wayne Elwin Sidelinger, of Wilson, passed away peacefully at home early Sunday morning, July 23, 2023.

To celebrate his life, a memorial service will be held at West Nash United Methodist Church, 2200 Nash Street N, Wilson, NC 27896 on Saturday, July 29, 2023. Visitation with family and friends will begin at 1:00 followed by a 2:00 service.

Wayne was born in Monson, Maine on February 19, 1928 to Claude Sidelinger and Hazel Grover Sidelinger. Growing up in a small yet vibrant community in northern Maine, Wayne excelled in both summer and winter sports. He was extremely active in civic and social clubs and that passion continued throughout his life.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1945 at the age of 17 and served in Quantico, VA. After being honorably discharged in 1948, Wayne met his future wife Eloise Hill, originally from Johnston County, North Carolina, while attending Ben Franklin University in Washington, DC. It was there he began working for Sherwin Williams Paint Company.

Wayne and Eloise were married on September 30, 1950 in Washington, DC. Within days of marriage, Wayne was recalled to active duty with The U.S. Marine Corps and stationed at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, NC and served until 1952.

In 1952, they moved to Wilson, NC, making the decision to stay in the South to be close to Eloise’s family. The warmer climate and southern cooking also had an influence on their decision. Wayne and Eloise were devoted to their four children. As a couple, they enjoyed dancing, entertaining and planning events for various organizations in the community. Wayne also began honing his craft of restoring antique furniture in his home workshop.

In 1965, Wayne and Eloise opened The Antique Barn in Wilson. They made frequent trips to Maine to purchase antiques to sell in Wilson. In 1980, they expanded the business to become The Antique Barn & Hobby Shop. Along with their son, Steve, they operated the business until its closing in 2018. Wayne has always loved trains and was well-known for his skills as a railroad modeler. The train layout that he and the Wilson Area Railroad Modelers built and operated brought visitors from all over the country.

Wayne was a pillar of the community and was passionate about civic duty. He was a member of the Wilson Jaycees and the Wilson County Antique Dealers Association. He was the Scout Master of Troop 89 at Winstead United Methodist Church for many years. He was a Life Member of the Wilson Evening Optimist Club, serving in many leadership positions, and a founding member of the Wilson Area Railroad Modelers and the Golden East Railroad Modelers.

Wayne was a strong patriarch of his family. He is survived by his sons Steve Sidelinger and wife, Charla of Wilson, NC, Michael Sidelinger and wife Adrianna of Shallotte, NC, Lyndon Sidelinger of Roswell, GA and daughter Nancy Sidelinger Herring and husband, Jamie of Reidsville, NC and grandchildren Richard and wife Elizabeth, Beck and wife Jaquasha, Lauren, Sarah Catherine, Emilie, Carolyn, Troy and Victoria and great grandsons Walker and Kenai.

In addition to his parents, Wayne was preceded in death by his brother Max, granddaughter Sara Elizabeth and wife Eloise.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Winstead United Methodist Church building fund, 2302 Nash St. N, Suite E #275, Wilson, NC 27896, the Golden East Railroad Modelers, 1100 N. Wesleyan Blvd, Suite 1030, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 or the Wilson Evening Optimist Club, 3216 Edinburgh Drive, Wilson, NC 27896.