Wayne Harris

Raymond Wayne Harris, age 82 of Forest City died Sunday, March 29, 2026, at CarePartners Solace Hospice House in Asheville.  Wayne, as he was known to his family and friends, was born on September 19, 1943, in Wilkes County and was a son of the late Raymond Harris and Dorothy Lyon Harris. 

Wayne was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Rutherfordton and was a graduate of East Wilkes High School.  He also attended and was a graduate of Gardner-Webb University and earned his professional degree at Gaston Technical College.  Wayne spent thirty-two years of his professional career at the forefront of electronic engineering working for industry giants General Electric and Ericsson in Lynchburg, Virginia.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers James Harris and Denver Ledbetter.  Wayne was also preceded in death by his special brother-in-law Thomas Walker.

Survivors include his wife of sixty years, Linda Harris, of the home, his sisters, Carol Collins of Elkin, North Carolina and Lorene Sill and husband David of Wellford, South Carolina, his sisters-in-law, Sybil Walker and Arlene Harris, his special friend Melissa Billings and his special fur baby Smokey.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 o’clock on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at The First Baptist Church of Rutherfordton with the Reverend Aimee Hobbs and Dr. Terry Hamrick officiating.  The family will have an informal gathering in the church reception hall after the service.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in his memory to the van fund at the First Baptist Church of Rutherfordton, 246 North Main Street, Rutherfordton, North Carolina, 28139

The Padgett and King Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of arrangements and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.