Wayne Henry Speer III, 87, of Shreveport. LA passed away peacefully on Friday, October 9, 2026.
Wayne was born on October 25,1938 in Houston, Texas to Dr. Wayne H. Speer II and Catherine Speer. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, and uncle. He will be remembered as a proud Texan, an encouraging coach and athlete, a history buff, and an entertaining storyteller.
Wayne graduated from the University of Georgia in 1961 where he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. He went on to find success in the oil and gas business, working for a number of years for Amoco in Houston before starting his own company Texanna Oil. However, he would proudly say his biggest success were his three children, and his role as Big Daddy to his seven grandchildren and his great-granddaughter.
In 1963 he married Atlanta native Hannah Jones and they started their married life in his hometown of Houston. In 1977, along with their three children, they moved to Shreveport, LA.
Wayne is survived by his daughter Georgia Speer (Woodus Humphrey) of Shreveport, and his sons Wayne Henry Speer IV (Missy) of Austin and Travis Jones Speer of Shreveport. He was blessed with four granddaughters – Hannah Schuttler (John), Catherine Parker (Adrian), Grace Parker (Levi), and Mia Parker; as well as three grandsons – Wayne Henry Speer V, Griffin Speer, Sawyer Speer, and one great-granddaughter Georgia Schuttler. He is also survived by his sister Cathey Speer Graham and her husband Harry of Midland, TX and his sister Sherry Speer Freeman of Fredericksburg, TX and a host of nieces and nephews who affectionately call him Uncle Bubba.
Wayne was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years Hannah who passed away on August 10. He is also preceded in death by his parents Catherine and Wayne Speer II of Houston, TX and his in-laws Ossie and Zeddie Jones of Roswell, GA, as well as his brother-in-law John Freeman of Fredericksburg, TX.
Honorary pall bearers include: Wayne Speer IV, Travis Speer, Quinn Speer, Griffin Speer, Sawyer Speer, Woodus Humphrey Jr., John Schuttler, George Graham, and Wayne Graham.
The family would especially like to express their gratitude to Hannah and Wayne’s caregivers: Joyce Hunter, Maude Warner, Brianna White and Dominique White, as well as a huge thank you to Hospice Nurse Renee Sugg and the nursing staff at St. Joseph’s Hospice.
A Celebration of Life will be held to honor both Wayne and Hannah Speer at St. Marks Cathedral on Monday, October 19 at 1:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers please donate to St. Mark’s Cathedral, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or the charitable organization of your choice.