Wayne was born on October 30, 1925 in Superior, WI to Anna R. (Phillips) and Edward L. McNulty. He graduated from Cathedral High School in June of 1943. In August of 1943, at age 17, he enlisted in ROTC at Ripon College. In January of 1944 Wayne went into active duty and was honorably discharged in 1946.
Wayne essentially worked for the same employer, Morgan Murphy his entire career. He started delivering newspapers at age ten for the Superior Evening Telegram. After World War II Mr. Morgan Murphy told Wayne that if he attended college and received his degree there would be a position open for him at the paper. He graduated from University of Minnesota with a degree in journalism. Mr. Murphy kept his word and Wayne resumed his career in the Iron Range area of Minnesota.
On October 23, 1954 he was united in marriage with Irene Nordholm in Superior. He and Irene moved to Des Moines IA for the company at the request of Mr. Murphy. Later he transferred to WEAU TV in Eau Claire.
In 1960 Mr. Murphy asked Wayne if he would go to Spokane as General Manager of the TV station KXLY. He was instrumental in building their present broadcasting complex which was dedicated in October of 1964. The company later acquired stations in Yakima and the Tri-Cities in Washington and Fargo, North Dakota. Wayne and Irene were inseparable during all of their 53 years of marriage, as Irene was also his Executive Assistant.
Wayne was a member of Spokane Rotary Club 21 and a frequent guest of the Scottsdale, AZ Rotary Club where he spent the winter months with his wife Irene. He was a longtime member and benefactor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Spokane.
Wayne is survived by his sister, Geraldine MacSwain Butkiewicz of Merrill WI; sisters-in-law: Emily McNulty of Milwaukee W I, Elizabeth McNulty of Iowa City IA, Virginia Linder of St. Paul, MN and his 13 nieces and nephews: Mark McNulty of Santa Clarita CA, Brian McNulty of Green Bay WI, Jim McNulty of Iowa City IA, Rob MacSwain of Stillwater MN, Steve MacSwain of Marshfield WI, Jim MacSwain of Hudson WI, Donald MacSwain of Merrill WI; Mary Kay McNulty of San Francisco CA, Mary Jo MacSwain of Park Ridge IL, Erin McNulty of Milwaukee WI, Mary Ellen Guy of Scottsdale AZ, Susan Bates of St. Paul MN, Carol Jo Forneris of Arden Hills MN; fifteen grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene in April, 2007; his parents, and two brothers, Truman Quentin McNulty of Milwaukee and Edward L. McNulty of Iowa City IA.
Wayne?s family would like to express their deep appreciation to his caregivers, Lynda Crowe and Betty Oka of Spokane whom were endearingly dubbed ?our angels? by the family. Additional special mention to the skilled nursing team at Waterford South Hill for their watch over our Uncle Wayne during his final days.
Service Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 10:30 am at ROSELAWN CEMETERY CHAPEL, 803 West Larpenteur Avenue, Roseville, MN. Interment will be at alongside the love of life, Irene, at Roselawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1403 W. 3rd Ave, Spokane WA 99204, or to the Morning Star Boy?s Ranch, PO Box 8087, Spokane WA 99203.
Arrangements with Bradshaw Funeral & Cremation Services, 2800 Curve Crest Boulevard, Stillwater, MN 55082 651-439-5511