Paul Wayne Whaley

Paul Wayne Whaley, 77, went to be with the Lord on April 11, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, service, intellect, and deep love for his family. Born on December 9, 1948, in Duncan, Oklahoma, he was the son of Hazel (Coulter) and John Whaley. Wayne grew up in various towns across Oklahoma and West Texas, spending most of his childhood in Adrian, Texas, where he graduated from high school.

After high school, Wayne attended Oklahoma State University, where he earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. It was also there that he met the love of his life, Karen. They became engaged just 19 days after their first date and were married on May 27, 1969.

While still in college Wayne enlisted in the United States Air Force, eventually attaining the rank of Colonel. Throughout his military career, he conducted engineering research for various military aircraft. While stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, he also began teaching engineering.

After joining the Air Force Reserves, Wayne began a distinguished academic career. He taught undergraduate and graduate engineering courses at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for nearly ten years, where he earned tenure. He later joined Oklahoma Christian University as a professor of engineering, helping establish its undergraduate and graduate mechanical engineering programs. He also served as the Mechanical Engineering Department Chair for 6 years. Over the course of his career, Wayne wrote countless engineering publications. Wayne retired from Oklahoma Christian in 2019 and was named professor emeritus, studying wind energy.

Wayne’s faith was central to his life. He loved studying the Bible, leading songs, and teaching adult Bible classes and devotions, sharing both wisdom and encouragement with those around him.

Wayne cherished time with his grandchildren and family. He especially enjoyed coaching his daughter Morian’s Odyssey of the Mind team, taking them to the world championships multiple years in a row, and later serving as an Odyssey of the Mind judge. He loved working on projects with his daughters and grandchildren and playing card and board games with family and friends. One of his greatest joys was restoring his cars – a1930 Ford Model A and 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air.

Wayne is survived by his two brothers, Raymond and Larry Whaley; his two daughters, Sabrina Huber and husband, Jim, and Morian Grady and husband, Bryan; and his grandchildren, Merrigan, Sienna, and Callan. He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen; his parents, John and Hazel Whaley; his brothers, Harry and Randall Whaley; and his sister, June Robinson.

Services will be held at Memorial Road Church of Christ on May 30 at 10am, with burial to follow at Gracelawn Cemetery.

To view the livestreaming of the service, please follow this link: https://youtube.com/live/cyJlPfsdqwA?feature=share