Wayne Maurice Bunting

Wayne Maurice Bunting, 79, of Burlington passed away at Alamance Regional Medical Center on Saturday, November 19, 2022.

A native of Halifax County, Wayne was the son of the late Willie Maurice and Lucille Cooke Bunting. He graduated from Atlantic Christian College in 1965.

Wayne began his career with Kraft Foods, Inc. after graduating college. He came to Burlington in 1971 to open The Cutting Board Restaurant, which he managed until 1975; from 1975 until 1980, he was executive vice president of Biscuitville Inc. and eventually president until 1988. In the late 1980’s, he became partners with Randy Cox of Burlington in the operation of Village Grill and in 1991 the partners, operated as Café Concepts Inc., opened Blue Ribbon Diner in Burlington, which later expanded to Mebane; and in 1993, opened Wright Brothers Steak House. In 1997 Wayne was named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Alamance County Chamber of Commerce.

Wayne was a member of the North Carolina Restaurant Association, where he served as President in 1992 and was on the Board of Directors. He was named “Restauranteur of the Year” for 1994. He was a charter member of Environmentally Responsible Businesses in Burlington and served on the Foodservice Advisory Board for Alamance Community College. He was past president of the Alamance County Unit Board of the American Heart Association and served on the Board of Directors for the Open Door Clinic in Burlington.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Elaine Lowe Bunting, of Burlington; his two sons, Christopher Wayne Bunting and wife Sheila, of Mt. Airy, NC and Gregory Forrest Bunting and fiancé, Kimberly Wheat of Greensboro, NC; grandchildren, Gilleyn Bunting and Nicholas Bunting.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Linda Forrest Bunting and his sister, Betsy Lou Bunting.

A Celebration of Wayne’s life will be held at Rich & Thompson Funeral Service in Burlington on Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 2:00 until 4:00.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the Humane Society of Alamance County, Pet Adoption & Welfare Society of Alamance County (PAWS) or any non-profit organization of your choice.

Rich & Thompson Funeral and Cremation Service in Burlington is assisting the family.
Condolences may be offered online at www.richandthompson.com.

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