Dr. Wayne Settle Paullus Jr.

Dr. Wayne Settle Paullus Jr., 79, of Amarillo, passed peacefully in his home on December 27, 2023.

A private family Mass was held on December 28, 2023, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.

Wayne was born in Lewisburg, Tennessee on November 26, 1944, to Wayne and Margaret (Pickens) Paullus. He was a 1962 graduate of Christian Brothers High School, and earned his BS in Mathematics and Pre-Med with a minor in German from Memphis State University in 1966. Wayne attended the University of Tennessee at Memphis for medical school and did his Residency at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center in San Antonio in neurosurgery. He later completed a Fellowship in skullbase surgery at Theodore Gildres Microsurgical Education Center-University of Florida. Following his fellowship, he returned as a staff member at Wilford Hall, eventually rising to Chief of Neurosurgery and the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

In 1979, he decided to enter private practice. Facing a difficult decision, he had to choose between Amarillo, TX, and Hawaii. For reasons only known by the Gods, he chose Amarillo. He once admitted in a conversation that his choice was made in large part to the free ice at Toot’n Totum. Wayne was in private practice for nearly 45 years and impacted thousands of lives throughout the tristate area. He truly loved neurosurgery, and caring for his patients was his highest priority throughout his life and career.

Wayne was known by many to be very plain spoken on many subjects, not just medicine. He would always come to help when called, no matter the situation. He would always use his favorite expletive to explain his point and then take care of business.

Wayne was an incredible gourmet chef. He loved his dogs, playing golf, traveling and cars. His hobbies over his 79 years were endless and ranged from roping, riding motorcycles, being a pilot, hunting, and wood and metal working. He loved to spend time at the ranch hanging out on the porch with his family and one of his famous “Wayneritas”. No trip to the ranch was complete without operating heavy machinery. He dubbed himself “Wayne the Road Builder”.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife of 51 years, Debby, his three children Patrick Paullus, Christina Paullus, and CP Paullus and spouse Sloane; as well as three grandchildren Sterling Paullus, Wendy Paullus, and Bea Paullus. He also leaves behind his sister Bess Isaacson and spouse Peter.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made in honor of Dr. Wayne S. Paullus Jr. to the Amarillo Panhandle Humane Society, www.amarillo-panhandle-hs.org/donate .