Wayne George Henderson

BURLEY – A few hours before his 84th birthday Wayne George Henderson slipped peacefully away at home surrounded by his loving family. He passed away on Monday morning, Aug. 26, 2024. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.

Wayne was born Aug. 27, 1940, to George Floyd and Fay Malinda Moon Henderson in St. Anthony, Idaho. He joined his older brother Don and was shortly followed by four more boys: Ray, Bob, Ted, and Joe. He never had a sister. Their mom didn't want to take a chance and have another boy. He grew up on a farm outside Ashton, Idaho, without very many conveniences. He had fun and many "adventures" with his brothers. His mom kept her boys out of trouble and their dad kept the boys busy with farm chores. He learned to work hard, along with learning to play.

Wayne went to school in a one-room schoolhouse and he actually walked there through the snow in the winter. He finally got to ride a school bus when he started ninth grade at North Fremont High School in Ashton. He graduated in 1958.

When he was 16 he followed his older brother Don to basic training in the Army National Guard and felt the calling to join him in line with the cadets and became friends with most of Don's fellow cadets. During his Senior year, right as he turned 17, he too enlisted in the Army National Guard, fulfilling his calling. He had an assignment to clear a road with a jackhammer the same size as him, leaving a bruise for weeks. He ended up serving 16 years gaining many medals including the rank of Sergeant.

After graduation he started working in the timber industry in West Yellowstone. Wayne was a Jack-of-all-trades working at different jobs as a mechanic, contract lawn mowing etc. The last 17 years of his working life he worked as a custodian at Dworshak Elementary School in Burley. He really enjoyed working with the young children and teachers. The teachers would have him do a demonstration on rocks and fossils and how they are identified and formed etc. for the second and third graders each year. He really enjoyed this. Wayne has been known to make special trips to neighboring areas to search for new rock or fossil specimens so he would have them to give to each child after the lesson.

Wayne was blessed with five children: Tina Henderson (Deceased), Wayne Henderson Jr., Sonja (Rick) Willison, Kelly (Wendy) Henderson, and Robin (George) Hale (deceased). He gained 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

After being divorced and alone for many years he finally met the love of his life, Sylvia Ann Mickelsen. It was a fun courtship that ended in being married on July 29, 1995. Their marriage was later sealed for eternity in the Logan Utah Temple. With this marriage Wayne gained five more children: Richard (Anita) Port, Deanna (Tim deceased) Martin, Steven Port (deceased), Wes Port, and Heidi (Scott) Rogers; 17 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

Wayne was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a strong love and testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ. He enjoyed serving in many callings over the years; his favorite being Sunday School president which he did for many years. Serving his country in his youth, he missed his chance to serve as a missionary. He always regretted not being able to serve a mission. Getting his chance he finally got to accept his call to serve with his wife at the Idaho Boise Mission helping youth missionaries. It filled a life-long need to serve the Lord in this way.

Wayne had many hobbies. He was very good at woodworking and made many beautiful pieces from cedar he grew in his own yard. He was an avid gardener. “He didn't give away garden produce because he grew too much, he grew too much so he could give it away." He would call the neighbors and see who needed some tomatoes or raspberries because he had too many to use. He also had over a dozen laying hens and he didn't have eggs to sell. He only sold a few and the rest he gave to family and friends. He loved to be outside working in the yard with the plants and animals. He enjoyed giving away the results of his labors.

He was a Rock Hound! He has tramped many a desert floor or rocky ledge with a rock hammer in hand looking for a certain kind of rock or fossil. He has found many beautiful specimens from all over the west to add to his ever growing collection.

Wayne and Ann loved to travel and visit many destinations. They went to Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, several Caribbean Cruises, and all over the west, Southern Utah being one of his favorites.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Fay Henderson; his brothers, Don, Ray, and Ted Henderson; his daughters, Tina Henderson, and Robin Hale; his parents-in-law, Budge and Ruby Mickelsen; brothers-in-law, Larry and David Mickelsen; and step-sons, Steven Port and Tim Martin.

Wayne's memory lives on through his loving wife, Ann, of 30 years; their combined ten children; 28 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and brothers.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 3, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Unity 1st Ward, located at 275 S. 250 E., of Burley, where family and friends will be received from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Officiating will be Bishop N. Rob Hansen. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Burley, where military rites will be provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Group.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home of Burley.

A video tribute to the Wayne's life is available at the following link: https://youtu.be/DD3jtVP4NbI.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/AnHgzjLl0BQ.