Murray Wayne Hefley was born on his family's ranch near Lake Creek, Texas on October 28, 1939, to Lon and Rubye Gobel Hefley. He passed from this life on May 8, 2018, at Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, Iowa.

Wayne grew up on the ranch and graduated from high school at Commerce, Texas. He received his Bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University and spent several years in South Korea, where he worked with Korean farmers, teaching them to use modern equipment. He received both his Master's and Doctorate degrees in horticulture at the University of Maryland. For 20 years he served as a professor at Iowa State University in the Department of Horticulture. He especially enjoyed interacting with his students and advisees, and was coordinator for the Horticulture Club, forming life-long friendships.

In 2006, he was united in marriage to Linda Johnson at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Ames. Wayne and Linda continued making their home in Ames. They are members of Lutheran Church of Hope.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Riley and Blake. He is survived by his wife, Linda; one son, Robert Wilke; three daughters, Laura (Cory) Hammitt, Melinda (Michael) Leon, and Allison (fiancé, Jose Rodriguez); grandson, Finn Hammitt and step-grandson, Van Leon; his brother, Lynn (Nancy) Hefley; mother-in-law, Beulah Johnson; brother-in-law, Alan (Roberta) Johnson; and several nieces and nephews.

Wayne cherished his family, and was a lover of nature and animals. In his declining health, one of his greatest comforts was their dog, Kiwi.

The celebration of life for Wayne will be held at Reiman Gardens in Ames on May 21, 2018, at 10:30 A.M. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Israel Family Hospice House or to a charity of your choice.


In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family.
Online condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com