Wayne (“Uncle Wayne”) Utt, 83, traveled to his happy hunting grounds on Feb. 27, 2024,where there’s no shortage of ammo or varmints and his rifle barrel will never overheat.
Wayne was born on April 28, 1940 in Eckman, W.Va., and lived in N&W company housing with his parents until he was 10. After a few years in Pulaski, Va., the family moved to Roanoke where he lived and graduated in 1958 from William Fleming High School. Wayne (AKA The Verminator) enjoyed hunting and all aspects of gun collecting, building, and reloading. He could shoot better than many of his younger friends and killed two prairie dogs in New Mexico at 823 yards, which earned him a feature in Varmint Hunters magazine. He also enjoyed auto racing and all motorized sports. He rode motorcycles from teenage years until he was 80, from trail bikes to Harleys. He caught the travel bug from Karen and they went to 45 states together including Alaska and Hawaii, plus Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and Tahiti; many times camping and hauling motorcycles, riding in deserts and mountain passes. Founding member of the Mill Creek Gun & Whiskey Club, Wayne enjoyed solving the world’s problems with many of his buddies who will miss his grumpy dry wit and outrageous “man cave.”
Wayne worked as Botetourt County’s first Building Official from 1972 until 2005 when he retired and stayed busy with his many interests until this brief illness slowed him down. Many mornings you could see him sitting in his car at Hardee’s watching the strangeness of the world pass through Exit 150.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Evelyn Utt; sister, Janina Ruedisueli; brother-in-law, Art Ruedisueli; nephew, Tony Romagnolo. Surviving is his wife and partner of 43 years, Karen Wright; daughter, Cheryl Smith; niece, Tina Gorman; cousins, Patsy Utt and Shirley Dooley; two grandsons and three great-grandchildren.
Wayne always despised funerals and did not want one. His wishes will be honored although a gathering will be planned for later in the spring. If you wish to make a donation, please choose your favorite charity; Wayne was nothing if not generous. Online condolences can be made at www.botetourtfuneralhome.com or 540-254-3000
