Wayne Alden Wriston

Wayne Alden Wriston, Sr., 100, of Oak Hill, WV passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on April 16, 2026, following a short illness. Wayne was born on August 14, 1925 in Kingston, WV. He is survived by his devoted wife, Patricia (Pat) Winston Wriston. Wayne and Pat were West Virginia Wesleyan (WVWC) sweethearts. They were married seventy-four wonderful years.

Wayne was the son of Bertie Jennings (B.J.) Wriston, Sr. and Sadie Ellison Wriston. He is also survived by brother Tom Wriston of San Diego, CA, who would call his big brother every day, his daughter and primary caretaker Christina (Chris) Mitchell (King), Oak Hill, WV and three sons: Alden Wriston, Oak Hill, WV, Dave Wriston (Cindy), Lynchburg, VA, and Greg Wriston (Kim), Lost Creek, WV, sister-in-law Sharon Winston Phlieger of Belen, NM, and nieces Sara Wriston (Harry Fish), Providence, RI, Barbara (Dr. Richard Ruddy, MD) Cincinnati, OH, Shawnda Osborn (Danny), Belen, NM, Ellison Onsi (Bob), North Potomac, MD, Dr. Gretchen Gwynette, MD (Dr. Frampton Gwynette, MD), Shreveport, LA, and one nephew, Marshall Wriston (Mika Dodd-Waddington), San Diego, CA. Grandchildren are Tricia Sasser (Josh), Dr. Amanda Wriston, Ph.D. (Kevin Bryant), US Army Sgt. Major Zach Wriston (Rebekah Lindsley), Beth Sykes (Marko), Karlee Wriston, Dr. Davey Wriston, MD (Dr. Karena Moran, Ph.D.). Great grandchildren: US Marine CPL Anthony Sykes, Jayna Sykes, and Maggie Wriston. Special cousins are Sue Remaley, Boise, ID and Isabelle (Izzy) Moon of Ava Maria, FL. He was preceded in death by parents Bertie Jennings Wriston, Sr., Sadie Ellison Wriston, brother-in law David Clark Winston, brother B.J. Wriston, Jr. and wife Janie, sister-in law Polly Wriston, daughter-in-law Marilyn Wriston, and daughter-in-law Joy Wriston. 

Wayne was inducted into the Oak Hill Red Devil Sports Hall of Fame on Sept. 25, 1998 presented by the late Avis L. Partain and H. Ray Londeree. The Quota Club of Plateau Area, Inc. on Nov. 9, 2002 held a Celebrity Roast which honored Wayne and Pat Wriston. The OHHS-CHS Alumni Association Award 2010 was awarded to Wayne and Pat Wriston. Wayne and Pat were devoted members of The Oak Hill United Methodist Church where his 100th birthday party was held. He served positions of the church: member of the Men’s Sunday School Class, Chairman of the Administrative Board, member of the Board of Trustees, Delegate to Annual Conference and Lay Leader. He had been a member of the Fayette County Retired School Personnel. Wayne was a teacher, assistant principal, and principal of Collins High School, and Fayette County Board of Education Director of Transportation with thirty-eight years of service. Wayne and Pat enjoyed their grandchildren’s school events, sporting events, and traveling in their van throughout the United States in their retirement.

 Wayne played football and basketball as he graduated from Kingston High School in 1943. He proudly served his country as a Seabee in the United States Navy from November 1944 to July 1946 and was stationed in the South Pacific. He graduated from WVWC in 1950 where he received his BS degree in Education and Business and was also on the football team. He continued his education and graduated from Marshall University with his Masters in Administration and Business. Wayne was a fervent WVWC alumni supporter as three of their children are WVWC alumni. Wayne donated his body to WVU Medicine. The family would like to thank Hospice of Southern West Virginia for their excellent services in their home, Dr. Lora Keaveny, DO, Pastor Dr. Ken Krimmel, Oak Hill United Methodist Church family, WVWC Emeritus Club with Bob Skinner, and Collins High School/Oak Hill High School Alumni Association. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at The Oak Hill United Methodist Church, 250 Main Street, Oak Hill, WV. Visitation will be 12p.m.-1p.m. The service will begin at 1p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Wayne’s memory to West Virginia Wesleyan College, 59 College Avenue, Buckhannon, WV 26201 or Hospice of Southern West Virginia, P. O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25901.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tyreefuneralhome.com

The family of Mr. Wayne Wriston is being cared for by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.