Chief Warrant Officer Wayne D. Johnston, US Army Retired, peacefully entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, with his beloved wife of 58 years beside him reminiscing about their many years of shared memories.

Mr. Johnston, 85, of West Columbia, SC, was born in Mt. Airy, NC on January 26, 1940. At the age of 18, minor league scouts were interested in his baseball skills but, wanting to see the world, he instead enlisted in the U.S. Army. After basic training at Ft. Jackson, his postings included France, Korea, Germany, Washington, DC, New York City, Kentucky, Indiana, Nebraska, and Alabama, as well as service in the Vietnam War. A knee injury that forced him to change from paratrooper training to military policing surprisingly led to the love of his life. While on duty patrolling the NY Port Authority Bus Terminal, he stopped to discuss bus schedules home with the pretty young woman selling tickets, Kay Player. Two years later, the NC small town boy and the SC small town girl, who met in a New York City bus depot, were married. They continued the Army life, with Mr. Johnston also earning an undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska and a masters degree from Jackson State during this time.

Chief Warrant Officer Johnston retired after 20 years of proud service as an Army police officer and criminal investigator. During his time in the service, his honors included the Vietnamese Service Medal with 5 bronze stars and the National Defense Service Medal.

After his military retirement, Mr. Johnston worked in security for several major corporations before again retiring to focus on his favorite position, that of a grandfather or “Pa”. Always quick to send an email asking about the grandchildren’s activities or if he could help with anything, he and his wife, Kay (“Ma”), never missed a chance to attend a school event, music or dance recital, or one of the grandchildren’s many soccer, football, or basketball games. Memories of frequent family trips together to Hawaii, Florida and one to Costa Rica will be treasured by his family.

He will be missed immeasurably by his children and their spouses: his daughter, Stephanie, and John; his son, Steve, and Erika; and his daughter Andrea, and Emmet. His six “perfects” - Spencer, Cullen, Carson, Cara, Nathan and William, along with his beloved dog he nicknamed “Hot Shot” - will forever treasure their memories of their Pa. Mr. Johnston left a written request that his obituary make it clear that he was “tremendously proud of his family, who he loved very much”.

Mr. Johnston’s determination and strength were evident in the hard battle he fought against leukemia. After an initial prognosis of months, he instead lived for almost 2 years, continuing to attend his grandchildren’s events and see them pass milestones, take a trip with his beloved wife back to their special Hale Koa hotel in Hawaii, and spend time with his family. Mr. Johnston was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Della Johnston, as well as his brother, Dennis Johnston; his sister, Carol Hollingsworth, his brother and sister in-laws, Tyrone and Carol Gray and Betty Ann Rudd. He is survived by his brother-in-law Aaron Rudd and nieces and nephews.

In keeping with his wishes, Mr. Johnston will be cremated and honored in a military funeral at 10 am on July 1, 2025, at Ft. Jackson National Cemetery. The family would like to thank the staff of SC Oncology Associates and Lexington Medical Center’s 9th floor north for the care they provided to Mr. Johnston and his family. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (PO Box 22324, New York, NY 10087 or lls.org/ways-to-give) or the Wounded Warrior Project (PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675 or woundedwarriorproject.org /donate).