Thaddeus Alonzo Whayne, Jr. was born February 19, 1916 in Bentonville, Arkansas to Thaddeus Alonzo (1892-1977) and Mary Louise (Queen) Whayne (1894-1959). He earned a Bachelor's degree in English from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri (1938) and both a Master's degree (Education, 1953) and Ph.D. (Education, 1953) from Washington University in St. Louis. During World War II, from August 1942 to November 1945, Whayne served in the U.S. Army HQ Squad 96 Service Group in the Italian campaign; he also was in the Tuskegee Airmen support group. He received four bronze stars. After the war, Whayne taught and was a high school guidance counselor in Kirkwood, Missouri. Whayne was an active community member. He was a Boy Scout troop leader, a fourth-degree member of the Kirkwood Council Knights of Columbus, a member of the Kirkwood Housing Commission, and the University of Missouri Extension Council.

On February 22, 1942, Thaddeus Whayne married Alyce Hunley.

Alyce Louise Hunley was born February 7, 1916 in Sedalia, Missouri to Louis and Mattie (Burris) Hunley. After attending schools in Sedalia and Jefferson City, Missouri, she attended Lincoln University. Mrs. Whayne was an active member of the Kirkwood community. She served as volunteer site coordinator of the St. Louis County Health Department's well-baby clinic, was a member of St. Peter's Human Justice Council, the City of Kirkwood Human Rights Commission, and the League of Women Voters, and, with her husband, was an active member of Kirkwood's St. Peter's Catholic Church. In 2002, the Whaynes moved to Lawrence, Kansas. Thaddeus Whayne died on April 23, 2004; Alyce Whayne died December 2, 2006.

The couple had one daughter: Sandra Eileen Whayne was born in 1943 in Chicago, Illinois. She earned a Bachelor's degree (Elementary and Special Education, 1965), a Master's degree (Special Education, 1966), and a Ph.D. (Special Education, 1977) all from the University of Missouri. She went on to teach at both the University of Missouri and the University of Kansas, as well as hold administrative positions at both schools. Sandra Whayne married Prentice Gautt (1938-2005) on 5 June 1971.Thaddeus Alonzo Whayne, Jr. was born February 19, 1916 in Bentonville, Arkansas to Thaddeus Alonzo (1892-1977) and Mary Louise (Queen) Whayne (1894-1959). He earned a Bachelor's degree in English from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri (1938) and both a Master's degree (Education, 1953) and Ph.D. (Education, 1953) from Washington University in St. Louis. During World War II, from August 1942 to November 1945, Whayne served in the U.S. Army HQ Squad 96 Service Group in the Italian campaign; he also was in the Tuskegee Airmen support group. He received four bronze stars. After the war, Whayne taught and was a high school guidance counselor in Kirkwood, Missouri. Whayne was an active community member. He was a Boy Scout troop leader, a fourth-degree member of the Kirkwood Council Knights of Columbus, a member of the Kirkwood Housing Commission, and the University of Missouri Extension Council.

On February 22, 1942, Thaddeus Whayne married Alyce Hunley.

Alyce Louise Hunley was born February 7, 1916 in Sedalia, Missouri to Louis and Mattie (Burris) Hunley. After attending schools in Sedalia and Jefferson City, Missouri, she attended Lincoln University. Mrs. Whayne was an active member of the Kirkwood community. She served as volunteer site coordinator of the St. Louis County Health Department's well-baby clinic, was a member of St. Peter's Human Justice Council, the City of Kirkwood Human Rights Commission, and the League of Women Voters, and, with her husband, was an active member of Kirkwood's St. Peter's Catholic Church. In 2002, the Whaynes moved to Lawrence, Kansas. Thaddeus Whayne died on April 23, 2004; Alyce Whayne died December 2, 2006.

The couple had one daughter: Sandra Eileen Whayne was born in 1943 in Chicago, Illinois. She earned a Bachelor's degree (Elementary and Special Education, 1965), a Master's degree (Special Education, 1966), and a Ph.D. (Special Education, 1977) all from the University of Missouri. She went on to teach at both the University of Missouri and the University of Kansas, as well as hold administrative positions at both schools. Sandra Whayne married Prentice Gautt (1938-2005) on 5 June 1971.