Wayne Lewis Russell passed from this mortal existence on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at the age of 92 following a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born January 26, 1931, in Twin Falls, Idaho, to Raymond Leslie Russell and Erma Naomi (Betty) Hazel Russell. The majority of his life, from the time he was a lad, was spent growing up in Lava Hot Springs. He loved the outdoors, which was a trait to accompany him all of his life. Rooming the hills, swimming in the Portneuf River, finding Indian arrowheads and fishing with his Grandpa Hazel were memories he often shared of his childhood and youth.

He graduated from Lava High School in 1949, in a ginormous senior class of 15. His desire was to become a cartoonist and work for Disney. Life took a different turn for him. Not bad, just different.

Having known Rayona Carol Willmore since grade school, they began dating the year she was a senior in high school, and he was attending Idaho State College. Married on May 27, 1951, they celebrated their 72nd anniversary this year. This time period in history was in the midst of the Korean Conflict, to which he was drafted in February 1952. He spent the majority of his time in the service at Ft. Hood, Texas. Originally drafted into the infantry, his drawing talent was discovered and he was transferred into the engineering corps.

Following an honorable discharge in 1954, Wayne and Rayona moved with their son Kirk to Nampa where they have lived on Ruth Lane (originally just Route #4) since 1956. He joined his father, Ray, barbering at the Russell Barbershop located next to the Pix Theatre on 12th Avenue.

In 1964, Wayne left the barbershop and began a career in the life insurance industry. He eventually retired a Senior NYLIC from New York Life Insurance Company. He did not slow down however and continued selling Blue Cross Medical & Medicare supplement insurance, finally hanging up his hat at the young age of 86.

He enjoyed people, especially visiting with them and telling them the latest joke he had. The amazing thing is that he never seemed to run out of jokes and enjoyed them as much or more himself as the person to whom he told them. No one was a stranger to him. He got to know people at the businesses' he frequented by name and became familiar with their lives and families. There's an old Hollywood classic entitled "It Happened on 5th Avenue". The primary character, Mr. McKeever, makes a key statement in the movie: "For to be without friends is a serious form of poverty." Using this as a gauge, he was one of the richest men on earth.

He joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1961. He loved serving and the friends he made. His had a simple but confirmed faith in Jesus and his Heavenly Father.

Rayona was always the most important person in his life. He always treated her with respect and taught his four boys to respect women. Additionally, to be respectful and courteous to everyone, no matter their station in life.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Leslie Russell and Erma Naomi Hazel Russell; his sister Betty Rae Russell; and by one great-grandson. He is survived by his eternal companion Rayona Carol Willmore Russell; his four sons Kirk (Elaine), Dale (Sara), Brad (Pam) and Jim (Pam); 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, June 30 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 927 Ruth Lane in Nampa, with a viewing from 9:45 to 10:45 am prior to the services. Interment will be in the Lava Hot Springs, Idaho cemetery on Saturday, July 1 at 11:30 am. Live stream, to watch the services can be found on the services page at ZeyerFuneralChapel.com.

In lieu of flowers, and to honor the legacy of our husband, father and grandfather, the family requests you find a family member, friend or stranger who is in need, and give them a hug, a smile or perform an act service.

If there are yards in Heaven to care for, that is where we'll find Wayne.