Wayne Leroy Eliot

Wayne was one of five boys and one girl born to C.B. (William Pickney) and Cinderella “Rella” (Marrs) Eliot. He was born July 29, 1921 in Southard, Oklahoma. Wayne was known to many of his family and friends as “Cotton.”

Wayne was raised and started his education in the Canton community, graduating from Canton High School in 1940. He served our country during WWII, a member of the 8th and 9th Air Corps, from Oct. 6, 1942 to Nov. 30, 1945. He served in the European Theater of Operation, 31 months and 18 months, he served 1st Sergeant of Ordinance Company in the 9th Air Force Service Command. He was awarded one “Bronze Star” for the Rhineland Campaign.

On December 24, 1942, Wayne married Wilma Delila Louthan in Dakota City, Nebraska.

After the war, he did construction jobs and was head timekeeper at the Canton Dam, until 1948. He then transferred to Nebraska doing construction work. He moved to Wichita in January 1951, and went to work at Cessna Aircraft, Pawnee Division until 1963. He worked for Atomic Energy from 1963 to 1965 in Albuquerque, NM. Wayne returned to Cessna Aircraft in June 1965, where he worked as Superintendent Quality Control, until he retired in 1982.

Wayne was a member of the Albert Pike Masonic Lodge #303 and Scottish Rite of Wichita. He received a 60 year membership pin in January 2013. He was a member of the Haysville United Methodist Church.

Wayne enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He loved growing a big garden and giving vegetables to his friends and neighbors, watching their eyes light up. He loved traveling, hunting, fishing and woodwork. He was always busy.

Wayne was admitted to Diversicare of Haysville in January 2012. He passed away Sunday, August 9, 2015. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great grandfather, brother, brother-in-law and friend who gave joy to those around him. He will be dearly missed.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; C.B. (William Pickney) and Cinderella “Rella” (Marrs) Eliot; four brothers, Carl, Cecil, Harold and Harley Eliot; sister, Gayle Groh Athen; son, James Eliot; and grandson, Charles Eliot.

He is survived by his wife of 72+ years, Wilma of Haysville; son Wayne, Jr. (Carol) of Haysville, daughter, Dianne (James) Houchin of Derby; daughter-in-law, Marie Eliot; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and 7 great-great grandchildren.

Visitation 1-8 Friday, with family present 4-8; funeral service 10 a.m. Saturday, both at Smith Family Mortuary, 7031 S. Broadway, Haysville. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with Haysville United Methodist Church, 601 E. Grand, Haysville, KS 67060.