Johnny Wayne Wahl, 87, of Owensboro, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Friday, March 28, 2025, at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. He was born in Beech Grove, Kentucky to the late Carol V. and Mabel J. Fireline Wahl. He attended West Louisville and Beech Grove Schools before graduating from Calhoun High School in 1956. In his early years he worked at his father’s garage, McLean Co. News and Edwards Furniture and Grocery.
Johnny served in the U.S. Air Force from 1957 until 1961. He worked in early warning radar at stations in Alaska and New Mexico, earning the honor of Airman of the Month three times.
In 1958, he married the love of his life, Martha “Ann” Shelton. They had 66 years of what he described as “a marriage made in heaven.”
After his military service, Johnny worked in construction, lumber, the paint business and, for a couple years, at General Electric. In 1967 he purchased West End Hardware. He owned and operated this business until selling it to Wyndall Enterprise in 1982. He then worked for Wyndall Enterprise as Hardware Supervisor until 1989. Having been licensed as a realtor years beforehand, Johnny then became a full-time realtor in 1989, working with L. Steve Castlen Realtors. Other than a short time away to work for Wyndall Enterprise from 1999-2001, he focused on real estate until retirement. He was a consistent producer, earning Top Realtor of the 1990 “Sweat and Hogs Class” and Realtor of the year in 1992 & 2005.
Mr. Wahl was a member of the Gideons, a Mason with the Yellow Banks Lodge, 32nd Degree Mason/Scottish Rite, York Rite, Rizpah Shrine Temple, Past President of Owensboro Shrine Clowns (35 years of service as a clown), Southeast Shrine Clown Association, National Association of Clowns, TPA Member-KAR and NAR and Greater Owensboro Board of Realtors and the Noon Optimist Club.
Johnny accepted Jesus Christ at the age of 12, at Pleasant Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church where he was baptized. He joined Calhoun Baptist Church around 1954. He and Ann later became members of Moriarty Baptist while stationed in New Mexico. Mr. Wahl and family were then members of Crabtree Avenue Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, bus driver and Sunday school teacher for many years. He and the family joined Owensboro Christian Church in 1982. Here he served as an elder, deacon, Sunday school teacher and counselor. As the church grew, Johnny was involved in the transition to the mall property and other major projects, being sure to give God the praise. He was also a member of the Agape Sunday School Class for more than 30 years.
He loved people, was grateful to God for the work opportunities he had and sought to live and operate by the Golden Rule. In planning for his passing, Johnny noted: “I want to thank my Lord and Savior, my wife and family, church, friends and customers, for making my life here on earth so wonderful. My prayer is to see everyone in heaven. God Bless”.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Jimmy Wahl in 2008.
Mr. Wahl is survived by his wife, Martha “Ann” Wahl; daughters, Wayne Ann Roberts (Tommy) and Tracy Crask (Kevin); a son, Scott Wahl (Holly); grandchildren, Jansen Smith (Bre), Logan Smith (Destiney), Spencer Clayton (Victoria), Samantha Cravens (Hugh) and Skyler Butler (Trey); great-grandchildren, Ashton Clayton, Callum Smith, Sophia and James Cravens and Scottie Jean Butler; sisters, Joy Cabbage (Bruce) and Judy Thompson (Randy); sister-in-law, Jasun Wahl; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, April 1 at Owensboro Christian Church. Visitation will be at church from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Owensboro Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Lodge, 2008 Charlote St., Nashville, TN 37203 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942.
Care by Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory.
Memories and condolences may be offered online at www.glenncares.com