MANY PEOPLE in Emporia will miss Charles Wayman. As a banker, he did a lot for the community. As a banker and person, he affected the lives of many Emporians for the better. Both he and his bank were deeply involved in the life of the community. He lived an admirable, useful life.
He died last week, but his influence on the community will continue for years to come through the business he nurtured and helped to grow for so many years.
Emporia State Bank & Trust Co. (now ESB Financial) was founded by Charles Wayman’s grandfather Will Wayman. It was passed down to Will Wayman’s sons and then to Charles Wayman. Now the bank passes to his sons and daughter.
In a real sense, a family business that lasts into the fourth generation has no owners — it has custodians. Each new generation takes up the duty, does its job, then steps aside for the next generation.
Charles Wayman did his work well, building a strong bank that could boast that it was “The bank that is Emporia’s own.” Indeed, the bank often seemed to be there not just to profit, but to serve its town.
For many years, Charles Wayman and his bank served Emporia. He will be missed by family, friends and customers.
But the bank he had in his care will continue under the new generation of custodians.
That is Charles Wayman’s living legacy to the community.