Wayne D. Weed Jr. of Quincy, Illinois, left this world the way he lived in it — surrounded by the people and things he loved most.

Wayne was born on November 22, 1960, in Quincy, Illinois, to Wayne and Donna Weed, the start of a life that would be defined by hard work, family, and a love of the open road — or more accurately, the drag strip. He attended Quincy Senior High School, graduating in 1979, before going on to earn a certified building trades certificate from Quincy Technical School in 1982 and an associate degree in Automotive Technology from Black Hawk College in Moline, Illinois, in 1984 — a foundation that would serve him for the rest of his career.

For more than 20 years, Wayne built a name for himself as a self-employed contractor, running Weed Brothers Construction alongside his brother Michael, with the kind of dedication that doesn’t go unnoticed in a community. Before that, he learned the trade working for Quality Builders, his father’s business, carrying forward a legacy that meant something to him.

When he wasn’t working, you could often find Wayne at the truck pulls, indulging a passion for diesel truck pulling that lit him up every time. His skill under the hood was no secret either — his 2013 LML Duramax build was featured in *Diesel World* magazine in January 2017. But as much as he loved the thrill of competition, what he loved most was coming home — to his family, and to his dogs, who were every bit as much a part of his world as anyone else.

Wayne is preceded in death by his grandparents, John “Bill” William Weed and Gertrude Schlettert Weed, and Sterling “Jack” Wilson Hardin and Eva Foster Hardin.

Wayne leaves behind his significant other, Denise Church Stutes, who walked alongside him, along with her children — Alexis Stutes (Tyler Kreps), Chase Stutes (Cheyenne), and T.J. Stutes (Madison) — and grandson, Kyson Kreps, who welcomed him into their family; his parents, Wayne and Donna Weed; his sister, Debbie Sherman; his brothers, Mark Weed (Roberta Smith) and Michael Weed (Denise); and several nieces and nephews who knew him as an uncle who always had time for them. He will be remembered as a builder, a racer, a son, a brother, an uncle, and a man who knew exactly what — and who — mattered most.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of Duker & Haugh Funeral Home.

A private celebration of life will be held by the family at a later date.