Bobby “Wayne” Grissom, age 86, of Gadsden, Alabama passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, August 21, 2021. The family will receive friends and family at Collier Butler Funeral Home from noon until 2pm on Saturday, August 28, 2021 followed by an intimate graveside service for family. Collier Butler Funeral will direct services.
Wayne is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Sue Grissom; sons Bobby ( Mary Ellen) Grissom, Phillip (Suzette) Grissom, and Stephen (Susan) Grissom; grandchildren Mary Katherine Grissom, Erin Grissom, Jeremy Grissom, Kyle (Katie) Grissom, Stephanie Grissom, and Katie Grissom; brother Ken (Julia) Grissom, sister Dovie Vanderford; and a number of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Dorothy Buttram Grissom; brothers Charlie, Gary, Dennis, Eddie; and in laws Mattie and D.P. Ross.
Wayne is a 1953 graduate of Piedmont High School where he grew up in the Vigo Community. He moved to Gadsden in 1954 where he farmed and worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. He opened Grissom’s Used Cars in 1965 and eventually established Grissom Motors in 1973. He had successful partnerships with Mazda, Honda, and Oldsmobile over the years, and eventually sold Grissom Honda in 2015. Wayne served on the Etowah County Board of Education for 19 Years. He received the outstanding Education Award from the Alabama Congress of Parents and Teachers in 1984 for his dedication to public education and was named PTA School Board Member of the year for 1983-84.
He was actively involved in the NASCAR racing circuit and was the proud owner of the 1985 All Pro Championship team and 1993 Busch Grand National Championship team.
He was an insightful and intelligent businessman as evident throughout Gadsden, especially his most recent development, the River Trace Shopping Area in East Gadsden. Wayne will be missed by all who knew him. He never met a stranger and was a true friend to so many people. He would give someone the shirt off his back if he thought they needed it. Honorary pallbearers will be employees of Grissom Honda and his personal friends he met during his many business endeavors. The family would like to thank Dr. Ralph Wesley, Dr. Greg Chapman, and the Amedisys Hospice team with special thanks to Charity and Brittany for the excellent care given to Wayne. Also, thanks to Emilie Huddleston. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the NE Etowah Community Center at 3733 US Highway 411 North, Gadsden, AL 35901 Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.collier-butler.com for the Grissom family.
