On November 13, 1940, Nelson Wayne Huffman, one of two little twin boys, was born to Ervin and Grace (née Gentry) Huffman at his family's home on the prairie between Lovelady and Weldon, Texas. He grew up on the farm and went to school for 9 years in Lovelady before transferring to Trinity. In his own words, "I wasn't born in Trinity, but I got here as quickly as I could."

After graduation, in 1959, Wayne married Alice Barksdale, his first love. In 1964, Wayne joined the Trinity Volunteer Fire Department, his second love. Wayne would go on to serve the Trinity Volunteer Fire Department for 60 years, retiring just this year as its longest-serving member. In that time, he served as Chief, Assistant Chief, Drill Captain, and a member of the Pension Board.

Wayne's other contributions include, but are not limited to: Director and founding member of the Trinity County Emergency Corps search and rescue team for over 40 years, Deputy Sheriff with the Trinity County Sheriff's Department for over 50 years, spending the past several years overseeing the community service inmates, Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and councilman for the City of Trinity for over 50 years, Rural Route mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for 43 years, coach for the Trinity Youth Baseball for many years, owner of Huffman Exxon Service Station and Wrecker Service along with his twin brother Hayne for many years. Chief Huffman served the citizens of the City of Trinity and Trinity County with honesty and integrity, always putting the needs of others first, always making decisions that were in the best interest of the residents of the community. His love for his family was his main priority throughout his years of public service.

It has been Wayne's goal since he was young to devote himself to the service of this community and county, and at every opportunity he has gone above and beyond to do so. In his lifetime, he has managed to set a new standard by which those serving their communities should strive to hold themselves to.

Besides working for his community, which he did tirelessly and with great joy, Wayne loved playing dominoes with his friends at the fire station, watching the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Astros play, spending time with his family, and listening to George Jones.

Wayne is preceded in death by his mother and father; paternal and maternal grandparents; four brothers, Oscar, John Floyd, H.L. and his twin brother, Hayne Huffman; one sister, Ella Mae Dixon; and his daughter, Marissa Dené.

He is survived by his wife, Alice of Trinity, Texas; daughter, Sherri Pruitt and husband Sidney of Trinity, Texas; four grandchildren, Matthew Holloman, Heather Holloman, Miranda Pruitt, and Hailey Pruitt Price and her husband Levi Price; and 2 great grandchildren, Rhett Holloman Anderson, and Izabel Hester. Numerous other relatives and many, many friends also survive.

Wayne will be dearly missed by those that he leaves behind to cherish his memory and protect his legacy. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the Trinity Volunteer Fire Department.

Funeral services will be held Friday, May 10, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., at River of Life Church in Trinity, Texas with Bro. Mike Loftin officiating. Interment will be held at a later date, at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Trinity, Texas. Visitation will be held at the church, on the day of service, from 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Active Pallbearers will be Billy Slaughter, John Chamberlain, Keith Johnson Neal Smith, Scott Womack and Cody Mauldin.

Honorary Pallbearers will be all active and retired Trinity Volunteer Firefighters and Trinity County Sheriffs Department members as well as all county and area first responders.