Obituary for Wayne "Winky" Pape
William Wayne Pape AKA “Winky” AKA “Wink” AKA “Wayne” passed to his heavenly home on March 4, 2023, at the age of 69. He was born September 10, 1953, in San Antonio, Texas to William “Bill” Pape Jr. and Ida Joel Pape (Chiles) who have preceded him in death.
Winky grew up on the Southside of San Antonio on Ware Boulevard. He attended McCollum High School where he played football. He attended Texas A&M University and earned his degree in Animal Sciences. He spent his childhood and into his adult years working on family farms, ranches, and deer leases. He had a strong relationship with the land where he would work and play. He was an avid hunter, traveler, and explorer throughout his life. He had a passion for, and deep knowledge of, hunting which he instilled in his son, grandson, and countless friends that heard his stories beside campfires.
Winky was his own man and paved the way for many others. He started with Telpro alongside his friend, the late Angus Mahler. While working with Telpro he would have his first bout with cancer and once he beat it, decided to follow his lifelong dream of becoming a cattleman. He purchased John Clay and Co, a livestock brokerage at the San Antonio Stockyards, as well as AC Oefinger. He partnered to run the Stockyard’s Cafe and A.J.’s Cafe; invested in museum exhibits that would travel around the country; leased ranches to run cattle and hunt deer near Three Rivers, George West, Somerset, and Colorado, to mention a few. He was one of the founders of Satellite Cattle Exchange which revolutionized cattle trade in the ’80’s. He had big ideas and loved being a first adopter. Winky was willing to take a risk on something if he believed in it. In the late ’90’s he returned to the general contracting trade. It was like riding a bike and he built successful business endeavors with Metal Services and FMO, Inc. To keep his connection with nature and the land, he raised whitetail deer as a scientific breeder and developed amazing stock. Ultimately, he felt a strong sense of responsibility to provide for his family and was a pro at doing what he loved and providing for his loved ones at the same time.
Wayne was a very active member of St. Jerome Catholic Church. He was instrumental in the building of the new church and bell tower, active in the ACTS community, a member of the finance committee, Men’s Club and Knights of Columbus. He loved to donate and bid on items at the Wild Game Dinner and Church Social Auctions and was well known for paying hundreds of dollars for the peanut brittle.
Winky’s children and grandchildren were the light of his life. He is survived by his loving wife and ‘personal angel’ of more than 48 years, Elizabeth “Beth” Lessing Pape; children Jillian Pape-Kramer (Willem), Stacey Pape, Waylen Pape (Meredith); grandchildren, Harlow and Wyatt; sisters, Sue Ann Pape and Jo Lynn Lopez (Oscar); numerous nieces, nephews and many loving friends who considered him family.
A visitation will be held Friday, March 10 at Finch Funeral Chapel in LaVernia, Tx beginning at 6:00 pm. Rosary will be recited at 6:30 pm that same evening followed by eulogies and sharing of thoughts and memories about Wayne.
Services will be celebrated at St. Jerome Catholic Church, visitation will begin at 9am followed by Mass at 10am, interment following at St. Jerome Catholic Cemetery .
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the sports complex at St. Jerome, the American Cancer Society, Women’s Haven, Meating the Need, or charity of one’s choice.
Winky grew up on the Southside of San Antonio on Ware Boulevard. He attended McCollum High School where he played football. He attended Texas A&M University and earned his degree in Animal Sciences. He spent his childhood and into his adult years working on family farms, ranches, and deer leases. He had a strong relationship with the land where he would work and play. He was an avid hunter, traveler, and explorer throughout his life. He had a passion for, and deep knowledge of, hunting which he instilled in his son, grandson, and countless friends that heard his stories beside campfires.
Winky was his own man and paved the way for many others. He started with Telpro alongside his friend, the late Angus Mahler. While working with Telpro he would have his first bout with cancer and once he beat it, decided to follow his lifelong dream of becoming a cattleman. He purchased John Clay and Co, a livestock brokerage at the San Antonio Stockyards, as well as AC Oefinger. He partnered to run the Stockyard’s Cafe and A.J.’s Cafe; invested in museum exhibits that would travel around the country; leased ranches to run cattle and hunt deer near Three Rivers, George West, Somerset, and Colorado, to mention a few. He was one of the founders of Satellite Cattle Exchange which revolutionized cattle trade in the ’80’s. He had big ideas and loved being a first adopter. Winky was willing to take a risk on something if he believed in it. In the late ’90’s he returned to the general contracting trade. It was like riding a bike and he built successful business endeavors with Metal Services and FMO, Inc. To keep his connection with nature and the land, he raised whitetail deer as a scientific breeder and developed amazing stock. Ultimately, he felt a strong sense of responsibility to provide for his family and was a pro at doing what he loved and providing for his loved ones at the same time.
Wayne was a very active member of St. Jerome Catholic Church. He was instrumental in the building of the new church and bell tower, active in the ACTS community, a member of the finance committee, Men’s Club and Knights of Columbus. He loved to donate and bid on items at the Wild Game Dinner and Church Social Auctions and was well known for paying hundreds of dollars for the peanut brittle.
Winky’s children and grandchildren were the light of his life. He is survived by his loving wife and ‘personal angel’ of more than 48 years, Elizabeth “Beth” Lessing Pape; children Jillian Pape-Kramer (Willem), Stacey Pape, Waylen Pape (Meredith); grandchildren, Harlow and Wyatt; sisters, Sue Ann Pape and Jo Lynn Lopez (Oscar); numerous nieces, nephews and many loving friends who considered him family.
A visitation will be held Friday, March 10 at Finch Funeral Chapel in LaVernia, Tx beginning at 6:00 pm. Rosary will be recited at 6:30 pm that same evening followed by eulogies and sharing of thoughts and memories about Wayne.
Services will be celebrated at St. Jerome Catholic Church, visitation will begin at 9am followed by Mass at 10am, interment following at St. Jerome Catholic Cemetery .
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the sports complex at St. Jerome, the American Cancer Society, Women’s Haven, Meating the Need, or charity of one’s choice.