Wayne "Winky" Lee Counterman, age 76 of Port Neches Texas, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Beaumont, Texas. He had a prolonged battle with cancer that led to many other complications. He had loved ones with him at the time of his passing.
Wayne was born on October 27, 1947 in Terre Haute, IN to the late, Russell Clyde Counterman and Laura Edith Lee. When asked where he graduated, his reply was always, “The School of Hard Knocks!”
Wayne was not your typical man! People are often referred to as “the life of the party” but Wayne was THE PARTY! If you knew him long, you probably were offended by him at least once, laughed till you cried numerous times and were embarrassed by him more than you care to remember! Wayne was known for his quick whit and willingness to offer his unsolicited opinion. He has asked you to answer some obscure trivia question at least 100 times and asked you a Bible question every chance he got! A long, storied life that he could sum up real simple. “Life’s tough but we are tougher”. “God has never failed me!” And of course, “Let me tell you what I’m gonna do”.
Wayne met the love of his life, Jan Crawley in the mid 60’s and somehow convinced her to marry him on August 9th, 1967. Theirs is a story that very few couples could imagine! From a marriage of hurt and heartbreak to being restored and healed once they received the precious gift of The Holy Ghost. They were inseparable from that day until his beautiful, bossy bride passed away in 2014.
Wayne became lonely after the passing of his wife and his mind was set. MUST HAVE A COMPANION! It didn’t look like there was another woman to take the “big risk” on giving him a try but sure enough, after what seemed like years of talking and talking and talking, and of course looking, God supplied a sacrifice! Lainey, as Wayne called her. She stepped into his life just in time to become not only his wife and friend, but Mimi as we all know and love her as, became his constant caretaker during the last few months of his life. Thank you so much Mimi for caring for our dear Winkster! We love you!
He has been a member of Faith Tabernacle Apostolic Church in Port Arthur for over 40 years and has been a true servant to the leadership. His passion was telling others about God!
He was a faithful husband, loving father and an incredible grandpa to his grandchildren as well as great grandchildren. He was affectionately known and called “grandpa” by many!
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; six sisters, Doris Armstrong, Shirley Grassick, Margaret James, Rose Ritchey, Brenda Lawrence and Duronda DeBuque; and one brother, Butch Counterman. Survivors include wife, Elaine of Port Neches; daughters, Jill Hawkins and her husband, Troy of Port Neches, TX and Brandi Koie and her husband, Kamran of Riley, IN; brothers, Buddy Counterman of Terre Haute IN, Herb Counterman and his wife, Linda of Terre Haute IN, Joey Heflin and his wife, Candy of Clarksville, TN; sisters, Marcia Heflin of Columbia TN, and Julie Davis and her husband, Dave of Columbia TN; grandchildren, Lacey Coon and her husband, Dallas of Kerrville TX, Trey Hawkins and his wife, Breanna of Bridge City, TX, Zane Hawkins and his wife, Leah of Corpus Christi, TX, Addison Koie, Kamran Grant Koie, Quentin Koie and Madison Koie, of Riley IN; nine great-grandchildren Denver, Devon and Denim Coon, Sophia, Nash, Cole and Knox Hawkins, Ainslee and Talon Hawkins, and one on the way. And a host of nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.
A homegoing celebration will be held on Monday, April 1, 2024 at Faith Tabernacle Apostolic Church in Port Arthur, Texas at 1:00 pm with Rev. Kaleb Rule, officiant. A gathering of Wayne's family and friends will be from 11:00am-1:00pm also at the church.
Serving as Pallbearers will be, Trey Hawkins, Zane Hawkins, Dallas Coon, Tom Novak, Troy Ogle, Hunter Stanley.
Honorary Pallbearers will be, Jeff Lawrence, Keith Grassick and Jimmy DeBuque. Services are under the direction of Melancon~Levingston Funeral Home, Nederland, Texas.