Wayne Burnette

September 4, 1927 - December 28, 2017

Wayne Burnette, of Bristol, TN passed away on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at Wellmont Hospice House. He was preceded in death by his parents, S. Andrew and Cleo Patra Burnette. He was a diehard Tennessee Volunteer, not missing a home football or basketball game for 22 years; Wayne was a member of South Bristol United Methodist Church. He was a pitcher for Tennessee High School and a referee of football and basketball for 25 years. He also coached Little League for Massengill and Beecham for 16 years and coached at TN High School. He was a volunteer for Bristol Regional Medical Center for many years, having over 17, 535 volunteer hours. This past year he received the Prestige Healing Hero Award. Wayne worked as a supervisor for The Sprint Telephone Company. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Survivors include his cousins, Kathie and Ernie Rovella of Vero Beach, FL; E.J. Rovella (Jennifer); Kathryn Woodall (Todd); Michael Rovella; Troy Rovella (Nickole); and great-cousins, Lincoln, Landon, Genevieve, Rylee, Brodie and Chanley. The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, December 30, 2017 in Akard Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Charles Ledger officiating. A private graveside will be held in Glenwood Cemetery Military Rites by the Bristol VFW Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be Michael Rovella, E.J. Rovella, Troy Rovella, Scott Gourley, Mike Reynolds and Dave Malcolm. Honorary pallbearers will be Howard Webb, Charlie Castle, Gene Buhler, Raymond Morrell, Charles Bradley, Ernie Rovella and Jack Forrester. The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00 P.M., Saturday prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Bristol Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. Condolences and memories may be left for the family at akardfuneralhome.com Akard Funeral Home, (423) 989-4800 is serving the Burnette family.