(Luther) Wayne Britt of Fayetteville, Ark., age 75, died peacefully surrounded by loved ones on March 14, 2025 at the Willard Walker Hospice Home. He was born on Aug. 13, 1949, in Nashville, Ark. Affectionately known as “Hokie” by family and close friends, he was the oldest of 5 sons of Van and Jean Britt. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Larry as an infant, and his wife of 45 years, Kathy (McCarty) in 2017.
Wayne graduated from Nashville High School in 1967 and then attended the University of Arkansas, graduating in 1971, earning a degree in Accounting with honors. He became a certified public accountant (CPA) in 1972. His professional career began at the Douglas Walker Accounting firm in 1969 while he was still in school. In 1972, he became a Complex Controller for Tyson Foods, Inc. Over the next 28 years, he worked as a Cost & Budget Manager, Corporate Controller, Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President & General Manager – Wholesale Club Division, Senior Vice President for International Division, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and finally culminating with a promotion to Chief Executive Officer.
He retired from Tyson in 2000 to pursue other interests, perfect his golf game, tell Fatty stories, spoil grandchildren, and serve on the Board of Directors for various companies and non-profit organizations. He served as a Director for Tyson Foods, Inc., Springdale Bank & Trust (Arvest), Arvest Bank Group Audit Committee (Chairman), National Chicken Council (Executive Committee), United States Poultry and Egg Export Council, Tyson de Mexico S.A.de C.V., Cobb Vantress Pedigree Breeders, Inc., Tyson Insurance Company (Bermuda) Limited, AtlanticBlue Group (Chairman), Spectral Fusion Technologies, LTD (Chairman), and Commerce Capital Development Corporation (Chairman).
He also served as a strategic, financial, and long-range planning consultant for various companies and an Executive in Residence for Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas for both an undergraduate and MBA class. He served on the board of Hope Cancer Resources Foundation and volunteered to help many other religious and non-profit organizations.
He was a proud charter member of the prestigious Last Stop Tour (aka “The Owners”), a notorious group of rogue golfers at Fayetteville Country Club that thoroughly enjoyed playing together, laughing together, and spending way too much time in the rough and out of bounds.
His professional career and personal exploits enabled him to travel to all corners of the globe while influencing and impacting lives along the way. His relentless dedication and unwavering commitment to a strict moral code matched with a giving heart positively impacted every life that he encountered. He was dedicated to mentoring and developing any colleague who was willing to learn and work hard. He may have traveled all over the world, but his roots in Nashville and his family in Fayetteville kept him grounded.
He is survived by loving partner and fiancée, Ann Ternes Rosso; sons, Michael (Pamela), and Matthew (Ruth); daughter, Mallory; and 5 grandchildren, Ella, Juliana, Hudson, Sinclair and Lucy all of Fayetteville. He is also survived by 3 brothers, Paul (Marilyn), Tony (Scarlett), and Dennis (Shari); along with scores of nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Christ Church in Fayetteville, AR at 3 p.m. on Wednesday March 19, followed by a reception at Fayetteville Country Club.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the Wayne & Kathy Britt Memorial Endowment via the Fayetteville Public Education Foundation at PO BOX 571, Fayetteville, AR 72702, or online at www.fayedfoundation.org.
Online condolences can be made at www.bernafuneralhomes.com.
