Samuel Henry Nay, Jr

Sam Nay, Jr. January 20, 1918 - March 14, 2013 Samuel Henry Nay, Jr., 95, of Waco passed away peacefully at home Thursday, March 14, 2013. Services will be 1:00 p.m., Monday, March 18, at First United Methodist Church of Waco with the Rev. Stephen Ramsdell officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Sunday, March 17, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Sam was born January 20, 1918, in Larned, Kansas, to Samuel and Martha Alyce Dennis Nay. He graduated from high school in San Antonio. After high school, Sam went to business school in El Paso, and then joined the U.S. Army. It was during this time, while stationed at Ft. Sam Houston, that he met the love of his life, Margie Belle Poston. They were married on May 2, 1942. Sam served in the U.S. Army Air Force, as a Captain in the 8th Air Force in Europe. He spent 19 months overseas during WWII, returning to serve state-side both as active duty military and in the reserves, until 1956. After leaving the Armed Forces, Sam was a rancher and cattle buyer in Comal County, Texas, for a short period of time. In 1949, he entered the automobile business, where he would work for the rest of his career. His first automobile job was with Davidson Pontiac in San Antonio. From there, he held various positions with dealerships in San Antonio. In 1970, he and Margie moved to Waco and purchased Waco Dodge. As the president and owner of Waco Dodge for 23 years, Sam was a successful and respected business leader in Waco. He was a part of many professional and civic organizations in Waco and in Texas. He served on the Dodge Dealer Council, President of the Dodge Advertising Association, Chairman of the Better Business Bureau in Waco, Chairman of the HOT Fair Board, Salvation Army Advisory Board, Rotary Club of Waco, Ad Club of Waco, Chairman of Texas Automobile Dealers' Association, Director Waco Chamber of Commerce, Director Texas National Bank of Waco. He was a long time member of First United Methodist Church, where he served on both the finance committee and the building committee, as well as the Board. He was a member of the Odell Dudley Sunday School Class for over 30 years. Throughout his life, Sam enjoyed traveling, family reunions, reading, theater, watching sports, the symphony, dining with friends and playing golf at Ridgewood County Club. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 69 years, Margie; his daughter, Marcia Nay; and his five sisters. He is survived by his son, Sam Nay III and wife, Molly; grandson, Mike McGee and wife, Kay; granddaughter, Holly Nay Dunham and husband, Mike; grandson, Dr. Heath Nay and wife, Heather; great grandchildren, Stephen Sweeney, Brandon and Shelby McGee, Bodi Potter, Harrison, Lauren and Landry Dunham, Hunter and Madysen Nay; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Honorary pallbearers are the Odell Dudley Sunday School Class. Memorials may be made to Community Cancer or First United Methodist Church of Waco. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.