Wayne Billinger, 54, Hays, died Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, at his home.

He was born Feb. 12, 1955, in Hays to Leo R. and Rita (Staab) Billinger. He was a 1973 graduate of Victoria High School and attended Fort Hays State University.

He married Tammy (Miller) on June 26, 1986, in Victoria. He was a self-employed businessmen as a designer/composer/producer and engineer of musical works and CDs. He was a co-founder and co-writer/director of Sweet and Sour Krauts. He was manager of FOURSTAR quartet and a member of the St. Fidelis Church Cathedral choir. He moved to Hays in 1986. He was owner of the Downtowner for many years and owner of Advantage Creative LLC. He was president of Kansas Downtown Development Association from 1998 to 2001 and director for the Hays Greater Downtown Business Improvement District for a number of years. He was regional sales manager for Cable Network Advertising, worked for Signs and Designs, and Earl Billinger Painting. He was a two-term council member for the city of Hays from 1997 to 2001 and 2003 to 2007. He served as mayor of Hays in 1998 and 2004. He formed the Northwest Kansas Mayors Association and was spearheading the forming of the Junior Mayors Association. He was a former bass player for Jimmy Dee and the Fabulous Destinations, the Blaine Younger Band and other bands including Flatspin and Wayne's Hotshots.

He was a member of St. Fidelis Catholic Church, Victoria.

Survivor include a son, Michael Billinger, Hays; a daughter, Kelsey Billinger, Hays; his former wife, Tammy Billinger, Hays; his mother, Rita Billinger, Hays; four brothers, Vernon Billinger and wife, Dorothy, Macomb, Mich.; Earl Billinger and wife, Mary, Rich Billinger and wife, Jeani, and Bill Billinger and wife, Cindy, all of Hays; two sisters, Marlene Brown and husband, Ken, Attica, Mich., Mary Pfeifuaf and husband, George, Capac, Mich.; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Fidelis Catholic Church, Victoria; burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria.

Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday at Cline's Mortuary of Hays, 1919 E. 22nd, Hays, KS 67601, from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the church and from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the mortuary.

A vigil will be at 7 p.m. Friday at the church.

Memorials are suggested to his children's education fund in care of the mortuary.

Condolence can be sent via e-mail at clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net.