Wayne Nuckolls
Anyone who has lived in Winchester during the past sixty years has likely crossed paths with Wayne Nuckolls. Wayne has been a prominent figure in business, athletics, city and county recreation, and community and civic organizations since moving to Winchester in 1958. He and his bride Pat Hudson Nuckolls moved to Winchester to help her parents and her brother Pete Hudson operate Hudson’s Bakery. Wayne and Pat owned and operated the popular business located just off the square on North Jefferson Street until the mid-1970’s. The bakery was a favorite destination for mouthwatering donuts and cookies, beautifully decorated cakes for all occasions, and delicious soup, chili and sandwiches at lunchtime. One of Wayne’s most memorable projects at the bakery was providing the very large cake, designed and decorated by Pat, for a Welcome Home ceremony for Bernie Moore when he retired as the SEC Commissioner in 1966.
In 1971, Wayne became the recreation director for the city of Winchester, a position that he held until 2014. During his tenure as recreation director, Winchester added playing and practice fields for baseball and softball, the David R. Bean Swimplex, tennis courts, walking trails, boating and fishing piers, pavilions, campgrounds and Adventure Mountain. Wayne took great pride in providing safe, well-kept facilities for the city and its visitors.
In 2014, Winchester’s Softball Field #3 was named the Wayne Nuckolls field in his honor. Wayne has been an avid supporter of youth sports for as long as he has been in Winchester. He coached Little League and Babe Ruth baseball and Pee Wee football for more than twenty years. His Hudson’s Bakery Babe Ruth team won four consecutive championships in the Franklin County League and the 1968 team placed third in the state. He also served as president of the FC Quarterback Club (known then as the Rebel Rousers) for several years and was very active in the building of the football field house at the old FCHS stadium. He also raised the funds to build the handicapped seating area at that field because he wanted to be sure that “Granny” Hudson (Pat’s mother) and other wheelchair bound fans were able to enjoy the football games.
In addition to his athletic involvement, Wayne has been active in many civic and community events. He was the PTA President at Clark Memorial where his children attended elementary school and he initiated the first May Day field day event at North Junior High. He was the first president of the Winchester Civitan Club which was very active in community service. Perhaps one of his most impactful community projects was helping to organize the first – and next 50+ - annual family camp at Fall Creek Falls for the Winchester First United Methodist Church. For over 50 years, Wayne and Pat helped organize the family camp, making sure there was plenty of good food and fun for all. For more than 30 years Wayne served as Camp Director for family camp and in 2018 he resigned the position. Over the years, hundreds of families and friends have attended the family camp held annually on Memorial Day weekend.
Wayne and Pat, who passed away in 2014, their children, Kim and Kyle, and grandchildren, Hudson and Graham, love to host friends at their home on Tims Ford Lake in Winchester. Wayne is quick to tell everyone that he is happy that he has been able to make some contributions to the community that he loves, but his greatest reward is the friendship of all those who have worked and helped him through the years.