Wayne “paved his way to heaven” after a brief battle with cancer at St. Mary’s Hospital on August 27, 2026. With his wife, Joyce, by his side, he was 87 years young.
Wayne was born August 24, 1939, in Frostburg, MD, where he enjoyed the adventures of the mountains, hunting and, as always, making friends. He graduated from Beall High School, Frostburg, MD in 1958.
He went on to proudly serve in the US Navy for 8 years. He often talked about his time spent on the ships, working on the ship engines, and traveling abroad. His favorite stop was Barcelona, Spain.
Wayne was last stationed at Pax River Naval Air Station where he fell in love with Southern Maryland. He bought a beach cottage on Cuckold Creek, Half Pone Point Rd. in Hollywood. He lived there for 59 years until his death. He enjoyed life on the water; in younger years he had many family gatherings and lots of fun on the beach.
After the Navy, Wayne started working for State Highway as a quality control technician in asphalt and concrete plants across Southern, MD. Wayne enjoyed working with asphalt and became somewhat of an asphalt guru; he retired after 30 years of service.
Once again, Wayne continued working with asphalt. He absolutely loved working for Billy Bean at C.A. Bean’s asphalt plant. He could talk asphalt with anyone for hours… especially Billy. He worked there for over 25 years until he just couldn’t climb those stairs, he just never retired.
Wayne also loved old cars, 1930’s, he owns a few and back in the day he put his cars in shows and managed to win 4 trophies. He really enjoyed the car shows of various states.
Florida was Wayne’s hot spot! He took Joyce on a first date in 1992 to Bike Week in Daytona Beach. After a long “week” first date, they married in Key West, Florida on January 30th, 1999. Together they bought a house in Bonita Springs, Florida and vacationed there every year. That strong bond never wavered, never broke. They were the love of each others lives and were married over 27 years.
Wayne was a story teller and those stories were never short, he wouldn’t just jump to the story… he told you where it all began, but at the end he was sure to make you laugh. He loved making people laugh, I believe it was his favorite hobby.
He never met a stranger, he is a beloved friend to all. He will always be “forever young” and forever in our hearts.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Joyce Knapp of Hollywood, MD; sister, Barbara Gwaltney of New Bern, NC; niece, Judy Fowler (Rich) of New Bern, NC; and his nephew, Donald Frost (Valery). He is also survived by his second family, mother-in-law, Mary Nicholson; brother-in-law, Michael Nicholson (Kathy); nephews, Donny and Daniel; niece, Liz; sister-in-law, Beverly Pleasant (Doug); nephews, Greg Jr. and Adam. As well as his beloved great nieces, Sidney, Sammy, Maddy, and Ginney. His Italian Greyhound, his snuggler, Jewel. She knew he was sick and wouldn’t leave his side. He found much happiness and comfort with her. He was preceded in death by his parents; Herbet L Knepp and Linda Ann (Wigfield) Knepp.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm with a Prayer Service beginning at 7:00pm at Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Rd, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Wayne is going home to where it all began, the mountains of Western MD. Interment will be on Friday, September 11, 2026, at 11:00am at Sunset Memorial Park, 13800 Bedford Road NE, Cumberland, MD 21502.
Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldsfuneral.com.
Arrangements by Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
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