Wayne Clay Marshall

Wayne Clay Marshall, 81, died on October 16, 2025. He was born on August 25, 1944, to the late Forrest and Margaret Hawkins Marshall in Frankfort.

Wayne attended Franklin County High School, University of Kentucky and Kentucky State University.

Wayne did meaningful work at the Council for Developmental Disabilities of Louisville for 25 years. Equipped with an innate sense of justice and a vision of hope for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, he participated in and directed the removal of many Kentuckians from institutions and subsequently founded two non-profit organizations that supported and empowered people with developmental disabilities to live and work in a community setting.

Wayne was a member of Fourth Street Methodist Church in Old Louisville and later Trinity Episcopal Church in Danville. He was enthusiastic about the verse repeated in the Gospels, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last,” and was creative in merging his talents with service to those that were disenfranchised. Notably, in the height of the AIDS health crisis in the mid-1990’s, he cooked joyfully with his friends as they served monthly gourmet meals to the 30-40 people who were part of the Kentucky-Indiana People With AIDS Coalition (KIPWAC).

Wayne had many interests and talents. He was a member of the Louisville Woodworking Club and enjoyed carving and making 18th century furniture. Every year he looked forward to gaining ground on his golf swing and golf outings with his friends, especially with his three comrades who also headed Louisville United Way agencies, dubbed the “Gross Gang.” He often took on the athletic challenge of running the three road races leading up to Derby.  He enjoyed entertaining friends and family with refined recipes for which he combed through books and magazines. In retirement, he enjoyed meeting many in the Danville community serving as cheesemonger and wine retailer.

Wayne is survived by his daughters, Luci Marshall of Boston, MA, Ashly (Evan) Burch of Louisville, and Anne (Peter) Deville-Landfield of Lexington, and sons, Rafe Marshall of Danville, John Marshall of Louisville, Grant (Nicole) Marshall of Nicholasville, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and a brother, Warren (Sue) Marshall of Frankfort. He was preceded in death by Marilyn Sauvage of Louisville, for whom he served as guardian.

There will be a graveside service at 2 pm on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Frankfort. Honorary pallbearer will be Rafe Marshall.  Pallbearers will be Peter Landfield, Evan Burch, Elliot Deville, John Marshall, Justus Marshall, and Grant Marshall.