Wayne Austin Greenlee, 88, of Amery, WI, died on February 2, 2013. He was born in St. Paul, MN, on September 9, 1924 to Ralph Austin Greenlee and Grace Fisk. He graduated from St. Croix Falls High School and studied Agriculture for 2 years at River Falls State College. He lived with his maternal grandparents, Oscar and Caroline Fisk for 9 years after which he lived with his paternal grandparents, Frank and Mary Alice Greenlee. After high school graduation he enlisted in the Army during WWII, serving as a Medic in the 37th Division of Ohio,145th battalion, in New Guinea and other Pacific Islands before participating in the Battle of Manila in the Philippines. He was seriously wounded there and received the Purple Heart for his service. He was united in marriage to Ramona Rogers on September 27, 1947, from which four children were born. They later divorced. After marriage they ventured to Fairbanks, Alaska for a year. Upon return to Wisconsin Wayne worked in truck stop management at locations including Jay's in St. Croix Falls. After 7 years he bought a few acres near the intersection of 8 and 35 and Wayne's station and café emerged on the site. In 1970 Wayne became involved in NATSO (National Association of Truck Stop Operators). Since NATSO did not have a separate restaurant division, he took the lead and started one, serving as director for a few years. He was involved in restaurant ownership for many years: Wayne's Cafes in St. Croix Falls and Amery, WI, Pine City, MN and general manager at the Bobber Auto Truck Stop in Boonville, MO. Wayne met Linda Lee, and they have been partners over 35 years. They shared their lives with a lovely view of the horses, hills and birds from their home in Amery. Wayne was a 50+ year member of the barbershop Indianhead Chorus—his irrepressible love of singing forced him to break out into harmony whenever the music presented. As a member of a chorus or quartet in Polk County and Boonville, MO, his singing was pure joy to him.
He was a Mason and a member of the American Legion. A major driving force in his life was his strong ties to sobriety and AA. After treatment, he committed his life to helping others struggling with alcoholism. He founded the Indianhead Council on Alcoholism and Other Drugs. His family heard from many whose lives he helped save by supporting them in their sobriety journey. Wayne was preceded in death by his mother, Grace Fisk (Greenlee) Steinhibel, father, Ralph Greenlee, half-siblings Robert Steinhibel and June Glancy and former wife Ramona Rogers Greenlee. He is survived by his children, Rebecca Greenlee (Donal Kaehler), Holly Derrick (Steven), Frank Greenlee (Martha Gustafson), and John Greenlee (Ruth Heim). He also is survived by grandchildren Aisha Reed and Auden Kaehler, Adam, Anthony and Benjamin Derrick, Miriah Greenlee, Nicole Hood, Amanda Greenlee and Heather Gillen, and Jacob, Jack and Alicha Greenlee, Matthew Bibeau, 12 great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. A visitation will take place Thursday, February 7, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Williamson-White Funeral Home, 222 Harriman Ave. N. in Amery, WI, as well as one hour prior to the service at church. Funeral services will take place on Friday, February 8, at 11:00 a.m. at the Congregational Church, 201 Harriman Ave N. in Amery, WI. Interment at St. Croix Falls Cemetery will occur in the spring. Memorials in care of Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery are suggested to Lamar School or First Presbyterian Church in St. Croix Falls with "projector" in the memo line.