William E. (Bill) Wayt |
| Posted 2009-04-16 by Sharon |
| The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ July 11, 2001, p. A16 William E. Wayt of Congress, was born Oct. 14, 1922 in Sac City, Iowa, and died July 8, 2001. He was the eighth child of Mary Otis Lee Wayt and Walter Earl Wayt. He overcame health problems of early childhood and attended the public schools of Sac City, where he participated in athletics and won honors in music and drama. When World War II broke out Bill was given a draft deferment because he was working with his father operating a farm, but he did not want to remain on the farm while others served in the military, so he joined the Army and became an infantry instructor at Camp Hood, Texas. While in the service Bill married Alma Lietz of Sac County, and to that union was born his surviving children, William E. Wayt of Rochester, Wash.; Sharon Day of Longmont, Colo.; Alice Miller of Laramie, Wyo.; and Diana Keep of Moscow, Idaho. After the war Bill farmed for a short time, but was forced to leave Iowa because of tuberculosis and other respiratory problems. He enrolled in Highlands University at Las Vegas, N.M., and was graduated with honors and named to "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities" in 1952. He continued his education earning an M.M. in music education, and directed prize-winning bands in Santa Rosa and Espanola, N.M. He also taught music in the public schools of Wyoming and Maryland. Health problems encouraged him to return to the Southwest and he lived in Sun City and Phoenix. After a serious illness in his late seventies, with strength gained from a deep faith in God, he was able to begin life again. Bill served as Director of Music for the Desert Haven Community Church of Tempe. He met and later married Norma Kunes on Sept. 4, 1979, and became active in Crossroads United Methodist Church. In October of 1985 Bill and Norma moved to Congress, hoping to find a healthy climate for the short of breath asthma and allergy sufferer. They soon became active in community affairs. Bill served on the Congress Water Board, in the fire department, and several terms as an officer of the Senior Citizens organization. He also directed the choir of the Community Presbyterian Church of Yarnell, and was chaplain of the Yarnell American Legion Post for 10 years. Bill enjoyed growing and giving away fruit from his orchard, but mostly, Bill enjoyed people. In addition to his four children, his wife, Norma, her daughter, Patti, and son, Mike, Bill leaves to mourn his passing a brother, W. Bert Wayt of Hobbs, N.M., 10 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, cousins, and a host of friends. All arrangements were by Frey Funeral Home. |
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