Wayne Liles

Dr. Wayne C. Liles, accomplished general surgeon and beloved husband and father, passed away Monday, June 5, 2006, at Conway Medical Center following a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. He was 71. Dr. Liles was born in Alexander City, Alabama, the son of the late Willie Conrad Liles and Ethel Solone Solley. He attended the University of Alabama where he earned his bachelor's degree in August of 1955 and became the youngest in his class to earn a degree in medicine in June of 1958. Dr. Liles completed his medical internship at Jefferson Davis Hospital, now Baylor University, in Houston, Texas. In September 1959, Dr. Liles joined the United States Air Force as Flight Surgeon. After serving three years in the military, he was invited to complete his surgical residencies at University Hospital Birmingham in Alabama and Forsythe Memorial Hospital Winston-Salem in North Carolina. Upon finishing his tenure in North Carolina, Dr. Liles obtained his license in Kentucky, where he opened a private practice in Henderson as a General Surgeon in July, 1966. A highly respected member of the Henderson County Medical Society and Chief of Surgery at Community Methodist Hospital, Dr. Liles touched countless lives with his vast medical knowledge and refined skills. In March 1987, he closed his successful practice of 23 years in Kentucky and returned to the USAF as a Lieutenant Colonel. A veteran, he served during Operation Desert Storm receiving both a Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal for outstanding service during that time. From March 1987 through December 1994, Dr. Liles served as General Surgeon and Chief of Surgical Services at Tyndall AFB in Panama City, Florida, the 51st Medical Group at Osan AFB in Korea, Myrtle Beach AFB in South Carolina, and Moody AFB in Georgia. He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Henderson, KY. A Board Certified surgeon, Dr. Liles was a member of the American College of Surgeons, Southeastern Surgical Congress and Southern Medical Association, among many others, throughout his extensive career. Until he became ill, Dr. Liles enjoyed keeping up to date on medical advancements, business news, animal welfare, golf, travel and University of Alabama football. He is survived by his wife, Janet, his two sons, Dr. Conrad Liles of Seattle, Washington, and Dr. Richard Liles of Anchorage, Alaska, and two step-children, Andrea Kellen Long of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and C. Neil Kellen II of Henderson, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, Ill. 60601-7633 (1.800.272.3900). The family will receive friends Wednesday, June 14, 2006, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Benton-Glunt Funeral Home, in Henderson, Kentucky and again from 12:00 Noon until service time. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2006, at 2 p.m., also at Benton-Glunt Funeral Home. Rev. Joan Smith will officiate. Burial will be in Fairmont Cemetery in Henderson, Kentucky where full military rites will be conducted by American Legion Worsham Post 40 Burial Detail.