ILION - Wayne D. Gay, age 41, of Stroupe Rd., Ilion (Town of Columbia), passed away on Sunday, May 22, 2011, after a sixteen year courageous battle with cancer, with his loving family by his side. He was born on April 6, 1970, in Ilion, the son of James and Donna (Sanders) Gay and graduated from Mohawk High School. On October 15, 1994, he was married to Heather A. Jones at the Church of the Annunciation, Ilion. Wayne was a third generation well driller in the family business, Valley View Pumps & Drilling, of Ilion. Wayne loved his wife and family, his work and his horses. He enjoyed life to the fullest, fishing at Canadarago Lake and riding and racing his dirt bike. Wayne also had a well honed sense of humor and was quick witted. Survivors include his wife, Heather; his parents, Jim and Donna Gay, of Ilion; Grandmothers, Mary Gay and Bernice Wright; his brother and sister-in-law, Gary E. and Rachel Gay, of Little Falls; his sister, Mary Terry and her friend Charles Manley, of Oklahoma; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Christine and Dennis Jones, of Ilion; his nieces, Sarah Gay, Briana and Shayna Terry and Ava Jones; his nephews, Gary J. Gay, Jayden Manley and Aidan Jones; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Eric and Maura Jones, of Albany and Adam and Dawn Jones, of Schenectady; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Friends and relatives are invited to attend Wayne's Memorial Service on Thursday, May 26, 2011, at 7 p.m., at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Rd., Ilion, with Father Anthony Barratt, Pastor of the Church of the Annunciation, officiating. Calling hours are Thursday, May 26, 2011, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the funeral home, prior to the Memorial Service. The family wishes to thank Dr. Atul Butala and his Nurse Practioner Cherie Sgarlata and the office staff and Outpatient Infusion Center for their excellent care, kindness and compassion to Wayne during his illness. Wayne's family has requested that all service arrangements and supervision be entrusted to their Family Funeral Director, Don Applegate.