Louis “Wayne” Pringle, age 81, of Clayton, died suddenly Friday afternoon, February 20, 2026, at ProMedica Hickman Hospital in Adrian. Born April 21, 1944, in Lapeer, MI, he was the second of eight children from the union of the late Clarence and Bernice (Wagor) Pringle.
Wayne lived his early life in Lapeer where he attended grade school and started employment. It was at a factory in Lapeer where he met the love of his life, the former Nancy Alice Hittle of Otter Lake, MI. They married on June 6, 1964, at Assembly of God Church in Columbiaville, MI. Together, they raised a family of four children modeling strong work ethics and morals, and shared over 61 years navigating the challenges and joys of life.
A man of unlimited mechanical and carpentry talent, Wayne built the first family home in Otter Lake, and was known throughout his life to be able to fix or construct anything. He was never known to keep idle, and he never settled in a particular area for a long period of time. He moved the family to Arizona and Florida before returning to Michigan in the early 1980’s, where they resided in Waldron then Addison before ultimately settling in Clayton for the remainder of his life. In addition to being employed as a forklift operator at the GM Fisher Body plant in Flint, he also raised and sold horses as well as operated riding stables on his farm.
In his spare time, Wayne kept busy with his hobbies of hunting, fishing, playing his guitar, and practicing his incredible skill of dancing. He was proud of his self-driven and dedicated 42-years of sobriety. He is remembered as a generous and straightforward man of conviction, who never met a stranger. He was a free-spirit and lived life on his terms right up until his passing.
Surviving to honor his legacy is his wife Nancy; four children, Annette (Mike) Adams of Montgomery, MI, Michael Pringle of Clayton, Rhonda (Bob) Southward of Clayton, and Louis Wayne Pringle Jr. of Lapeer; a brother, Floyd (Alice) Pringle of Otter Lake; sister, Robin DeMoss of Kerrville, TX; sixteen grandchildren, Michael Jr., Chad, Zeke, Jennifer, Alysia, Nathan, Krystal, Heather, Nancy, Tim, Tom, Lauren, Rachael, Louis III, Randy and Madison; 42 great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; and numerous extended family members. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in his death by five siblings, Mary, Erma, Cathy, Robert, and Ricky.
The family will receive friends for visitation at the Brown-VanHemert Funeral Home in Hudson on Friday, February 27, 2026, from Noon until a funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m. Pastor Phyllis Stutzman will officiate and cremation will follow.
Memorial contributions can be made to a charity of the donor’s choice or be given to the family. Arrangements have been made with the guidance of the Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home, Hudson.