Herbert Wayne Hobby

Herbert Wayne Hobby—known to most as Wayne, but to those who loved him most as “Big Daddy”—decided he’d finally taught his last mechanics lesson and shared his last joke on March 5, 2026. He passed away peacefully at his home in Ashburn, Georgia, surrounded by the family he loved unconditionally and, likely, wondering if anyone had checked the oil in the cars out front.

The Early Years & The "Friendliest" Legacy

Born on September 29, 1948, in Rebecca, Georgia, to Archie Lawson Hobby and Francis Hogan Hobby, Wayne was a Turner County local through and through. He graduated in 1966 as a football captain and—fittingly for anyone who knew his grin—was voted the "Friendliest" senior superlative.

 He didn't just learn about diesel mechanics at South Georgia Technical College; he mastered them, turning a love for engines into a lifelong career. Whether he was instructing at Ben Hill-Irwin Tech or shaping minds (and fixing engines) at Mitchell-Baker, Hawkinsville, and Turner County High Schools, Wayne was more than a teacher—he was the guy who could tell you what was wrong with your car just by listening to it.

A Life Lived "His Way"

Wayne’s life was a masterclass in living exactly how he chose. Between running the local Sears catalog store in the '90s and serving as the Head Bailiff for the Turner County Courts after retiring, he was a fixture of our community. He was a proud Mason with the Sycamore Lodge #210 and a Shriner with the Hasan Temple, where he’d give his time driving kids to the Shriners Children’s Hospital—proving that while he could be a tough instructor, Big Daddy’s heart was pure gold.

Dirt Roads, Horn Island, and Dive Meets

If there was a dirt road in Turner County, Wayne had likely driven it with the windows down and the music up. He spent his happiest hours tinkering on his 1965 Ford Falcon or competing with the Swine Hine Smokers cooking team. Big Daddy was also the self-appointed "Director of Entertainment" at every fish fry he ever attended. If there was a boat headed to Horn Island in Mississippi, he was on it. If there was a dive competition featuring his absolute world—his granddaughter, Elizabeth Ann—he was in the stands, cheering the loudest. To say she was the center of his universe would be an understatement; she was the star he orbited.

Family & Final Words

Wayne has gone to join those who cleared the path before him: his father, Archie; his mother, Francis; and his siblings, Billy, Lawson, and Glenda.

He leaves behind a family that will miss his humor and his "Big Daddy" energy every single day: his devoted wife of 55 years, Beverly Gandy Hobby; his sons, Chuck (Angela) Hobby and Hank Hobby (Joe Ward); and his pride and joy, granddaughter Elizabeth Ann Hobby. He also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews.

Service Information

● Visitation: Sunday, March 8, from 3:00–5:00 PM at Perry Funeral Home.

● Memorial Service: Monday, March 9, at 11:00 AM at Ashburn First United Methodist Church.

● Burial: A private family burial will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to Ashburn First United Methodist Church, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Rebecca, or the Shriners Children’s Hospital.