Former Choudrant High School softball coach Wayne Antley tragically passed away on Monday.
Antley, who coached the Lady Aggies from 2022-24, helped lead the program to the state tournament in 2023 in an upset win over Holden and reached the state championship game before losing to Converse in the Division V non-select semifinals.
He stepped down as head coach at Choudrant in August 2024 before the 2025 season and went 65-21 in three seasons at CHS.
According to Antley’s Facebook profile, Antley coached softball at Downsville Charter for 24 years and spent an additional eight years working at Simsboro.
Softball Coach Wayne Antley Passed Away, Leaving Everyone Devastated
According to reports, Wayne Antley, the softball coach, passed away on Monday evening, July 7, 2025. However, the cause of death has not been revealed yet.
Choudrant High School’s principal, Chris Jones, released a statement and mourned the loss of Wayne. He said,
“Wayne was one of the funniest and happiest people that you will ever meet. He was always willing to tell a joke and our kids loved him. Wayne was a winner and he had a very successful run here at Choudrant. He was a great dad and even better grandfather to his two grandsons. He spent lots of time with them in the garden, and riding on his side-by-side, he always referred to them as “the boys”. This community is going to miss Wayne and the whole Antley family is in our thoughts and prayers.”
Chris Jones
Josh McDaniel, a creative director at MedCamps of Louisiana, Inc., took to his official Facebook page and offered his heartfelt condolences. He wrote,
Usually words never escape me, but today, I’m having trouble putting them together. Whenever I started working for the Ruston Daily Leader, he was always the first person to greet me whenever I entered the ballpark, and he always made sure I had the best seat in the house for photos. Rest easy, my friend. There will never be another one like you.
Josh McDaniel
Krystal Wheeler Thompson, a resident of Choudrant, Louisiana, thanked Wayne for all the great memories. She wrote,
It’s incredibly difficult to find the words to say about Wayne Antley. He will be missed tremendously by everyone that knew him. So very saddened by this terrible news. RIP, friend. So thankful for all the great memories. 💔
Krystal Wheeler Thompson
The Louisiana Tech University graduate, Ashley Talley Isaac, took to her Facebook handle and sent prayers to everyone who knew and loved Wayne. She wrote,
My heart is broken this morning. Wayne Antley was so much more than a “Coach” to me. He was a great man. This one hurts so deep. I will forever cherish all the great memories made and the many laughs. Prayers to all that knew him and loved him.
Ashley Talley Isaac
Other close ones and relatives have also poured their heartfelt condolences and sent prayers to Wayne’s family to stay strong in this heartbreaking moment.
According to the source, services for Wayne Antley will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., with a visitation and funeral at 2:00 p.m. at New Hope in Choudrant.
He will always be remembered for his unforgettable contributions as a softball coach at Choudrant High School. Rest in Heaven, Wayne Antley.
Coach Wayne Antley Is Survived By His Wife, Gayla, And Children
Softball coach Wayne Antley tied the knot with Gayla Brown Antley, though their exact wedding date has not been publicly disclosed.
Wayne’s wife, Gayla, was born to her father, Jimmy Van Brown, an electrician. Sadly, Jimmy passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2019, at 77.
According to Gayla’s Facebook profile, she attended Weston High School and later pursued a degree in dental hygiene at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
She served as the dental hygienist at Peach Tree Dental and Southern Pines Dental. She has been serving as an ambassador at Burst Oral Care.
Gayla and Wayne were blessed with three children: Reginald, Landon, and Logan Antley.
Landon attended Choudrant High School and currently serves as a shift leader at Petite Paws Pet Hotel.
On the other hand, Reginald and Logan have kept a low profile, avoiding the media spotlight.
However, they are currently mourning the tragic death of their supportive and devoted father, Wayne Antley.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Logan Antley’s cousin, Joseph Trevor Antley, resides in McKinney, Texas, and serves as the senior content marketing specialist at WebCE Online Education & Training.
- Wayne Antley grew up with his brother, David Antley.
