A son of Harry W. and DeEtta (Boomer) Johnston, he married Blanche Lawson of Chicago on June 17, 1922. Her parents were William V. and Ida Jane White Lawson. The couple had two children: Wayne Andrew, Jr. and Mrs. Bryce Boothby, both of Flossmoor, Illinois. He grew up in the Urbana-Champaign area and graduated from the University of Illinois, working his way through as a janitor, busboy and summer yard clerk for the Big Four Railroad. His degree was in railway business administration. He began working for the Illinois Central Railroad as an accountant on October 1, 1918 and became the chief clerk to the division superintendent at Champaign in 1920. In 1921, he moved to Chicago where he progressed in his work and was named chairman of the board and president of the road on February 23, 1945. For nearly fifty years, he worked for the same company and held many positions in the accounting, traffic and operating divisions. He became chairman and president of Illinois Central Industries when it was established in 1963 and became chairman of the board of both companies in 1966, a position he held at the time of his death. He served as a member and president of the board of trustees of the University of Illinois for 17 years and, for 19 years, a trustee of DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana. For over 44 years, he served the Boy Scouts of America, receiving the Silver Beaver Award in 1919; Silver Antelope Award in 1953 and Good Scout Award in 1966. He was president and member of the Chicago Council, Vice President and member of the executive committee of Region VII and member of the National Council. His other professional and civic memberships and responsibilities would fill an additional page. He was active in several Masonic Orders and was a 33rd degree Mason. He was a member of Western Star Lodge No. 240 A.F. and A.M.