Wayne Ringgold (Whye) Bey

Wayne Ringgold Bey (Whye) , age 71,  was born on April  25, 1950  in Cecilton, Maryland to Vernon Kenneth Whye, Sr.  and  Rev. Alice Mae (Ringgold) Whye.  He  went home to be with the Lord on May 31, 2021 at the Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware.

He  received his  early education in the Wilmington Public School System in Wilmington, Delaware.   He attended and graduated from Howard High School where he was  a three-sport standout and named Athlete of the Year.    Wayne, in his   junior year  played football, basketball and baseball won one of Howard’s highest sports award given for “excellent athletic performance, scholarship and sportsmanship”.  e was  e H      He was also selected as the school’s most valuable football player.  He played basketball with the Jackson Street Boys Club and was chosen as the most valuable player in the Boy’s Club Holiday Basketball Tournament.    He was awarded a four  year  football scholarship  to attend University of Maryland .  After high school he attended University of Maryland - Eastern Shore  where he  was an outstanding football player – linebacker winning many MEAC   awards and earning great recognition. He was a great asset to the team.  He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.  He was known to be a gentle giant and was known to be a great stepper. He was drafted by the New York Jets, but chose to play in the World Football League. He played one year with the Bridgeport Jets  and one year  with the Chicago Fire.  His contract was purchased by the Baltimore Colts, but he decided to become a preacher of the gospel.

He worked for Christiana Hospital,  Wilmington Hospital and the Rockford Center for many years.   He was the ninth child out of 15 children, ten sisters and five brothers.  He loved to sing and dance at family gatherings.  One of his favorite songs  being “Wildflower” by New Birth.   He would sit around the table  and sing with his sisters and brothers having a good old  time. Even though he stood over 6 feet tall, he still had a gentle calming  voice.  He was very intelligent and had a great  humorous personality. He enjoyed spending time with his  grandchildren.

One of Wayne’s  future endeavors was to become a  minister.  He wanted to follow in his mother’s footsteps and become a servant for the Lord.  He  was preceded in death by his wife Nana Marie Bey (Antoinette ”Toni” Anderson),  parents Vernon and Alice Whye, three sisters Mrytle Whye, Faith Lolley and Star Whye.

He is survived by his stepsons Robert Anderson and Darrell Anderson, seven sisters Rosetta Rainey of New Castle, DE, Frieda Wilkerson, Sandra Whye, Gloria Whye, Bertina Beck (Frank) all of Wilmington, DE, Deborah Whye of Elkton, MD and Beverly Whye-Todd (Nate) of Wilmington, DE, four brothers Vernon Jr. (Willie Frankie) of Mobile, Alabama, William Sr. (Nancy) of Tampa, Florida, David Sr. (Arlene) of Ellicott City, MD, Clifford (Gay) of Newark, DE.  He also leaves to cherish in his memory  his grandchildren Robin Jamison, Shane Martin, Darrell Anderson, Daria Anderson, Dakeisha Anderson, Anthony Anderson, Darell Anderson, Robert Anderson, Aaron Anderson, and Three Anderson. He also leaves  to cherish his great grandchildren Da'Maaj Johns, Maleah Valentin, Aubrey Martin,  Leah Anderson, Rhyan Anderson, and a  host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A celebration of his life will be held on Friday June 11, 2021 at 11 am, viewing 9-10:30, Fraternity Memorial Service 10:30 am at Ezion-Fair Baptist Church, 1400 B. Street Wilmington, Delaware 19801. Masks are required.

Homegoing celebration can be accessed via Periscope Page either by downloading the Periscope App on your telephone and searching for @BellFuneralHome, or www.pscp.tv/bellfuneralhome from desktop computer.