Rev. Wayne Austin Sayre

Rev. Wayne Austin Sayre, 69, of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, died Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at home.

He and his twin sister, Elaine Ruth Sayre Doolittle of Owensboro, KY, were born July 3, 1956, to Bruce Austin Sayre and Betty Louise Ruth Sayre in Owensboro, Kentucky.

Rev. Sayre was a 1974 graduate of Owensboro High School. While at Camp Loucon in Leitchfield, KY, Wayne received his call to ministry at the age of 15. He graduated from DePauw University in Greencastle, IN in 1978, and Duke University Divinity School in Durham, NC on May 10, 1981 with a Masters of Divinity. He was ordained Elder in the Louisville Annual Conference United Methodist Church on May 25, 1982, and, after merger, remained a member of the Kentucky Annual Conference United Methodist Church until his death.

He was appointed to numerous United Methodist Churches across the Commonwealth of Kentucky: Eastwood in eastern Jefferson County, Memorial in Elizabethtown, Dawson Springs, West Side in Bowling Green, Hardinsburg, Prestonsburg, Hopkinsville First, Ashland as District Superintendent, Frankfort First, and Russellville United Methodist Temple.

An avid reader, Wayne consumed between 250 – 300 recreational books a year. In two recent years he had read 385 and 410 books. These were his “fun” books, and do not include his professional reading to prepare for sermons, teaching, and writing. He ran 13 marathons, numerous mini marathons, and 10K races. When time and arthritis began to catch up, he continued to walk between 13 and 15 miles per day. He honored his calling: pastoring, preaching, teaching, spiritual director, counselor, and friend.

While he graduated from Duke University Divinity School, he was first and foremost a fan of University of Kentucky. He loved to tease about Duke, both in Kentucky and South Carolina because of the rivalries, but his heart bled Kentucky Blue.

Wayne married Betty Lynne Lewis Sayre on May 11, 1985 in Elizabethtown, KY. Upon retirement in June, 2020 they moved to Murrells Inlet, SC, and became an active part of the life of Belin Memorial United Methodist Church.

Rev. Sayre was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, Bruce Phillip Sayre. He is survived by his wife and twin sister.

A celebration of life will be Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Belin Memorial United Methodist Church, Murrells Inlet, SC with Rev. Will Malambri and Rev. Dr. Sandra Stevens Poirell officiating. Interment will be in the columbarium at Belin Memorial UMC.

Visitation will be at Belin Memorial UMC prior to the worship service, followed by a fellowship meal in the Family Life Center.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Belin Memorial United Methodist Church.

Arrangements handled by Burroughs Funeral Home, Murrells Inlet, SC.

Condolences may be expressed at burroughsfh.com

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