Wayne was born on August 12, 1925 in Barberton, Ohio to Charles and Ruth Dean Williams. He passed away peacefully on July 8, 2018 at his home with his wife of 71 years, Elaine, at his side.
After graduating from Barberton High School, he joined the U. S. Army Air Corps. Upon completion of Combat Crew Training School, Preflight, Navigation and Radar Schools, he deployed to Saipan/Marianas as a B-29 Superfortress navigator assigned to the XXI Bomber Command.
Wayne flew 27 combat missions over Japan and 3 POW drops of humanitarian supplies into the prison camps surrounding the Japanese Emperor’s Palace.
His decorations and citations included the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, American Campaign Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, and the WW II Service Medal.
Wayne graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in business administration and accounting in 1947. On June 14th of that year, he married Elaine Biggs in Barberton. Wayne and Elaine raised two sons, Mark and Jeffry.
Wayne was an officer of the Midland Capital Corporation, a venture capital firm with offices in the Wall Street financial district of lower Manhattan, NYC. He retired and with Elaine moved to Missoula, MT. Following Elaine’s retirement from Missoula Community Hospital, they moved to Clancy, Montana in 1991 to be closer to their sons and their families.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and two older brothers. Sadly, his youngest son Jeffry, passed away on July 14th 2018. He is survived by his wife Elaine, brother Barry (Heather) of Roseburg, Oregon, son Mark (Annette), daughter-in-law Deb Williams, granddaughter Erin LaFromboise (Heath), grandsons Paul Williams, Adam Williams (Stephanie),
Jonathon Williams and great -grandchildren Leighton and Maysa LaFromboise and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Wayne’s life will be held at the Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 North Montana Avenue, at 10:00 a.m. August 13th. A reception will follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home. Burial of the cremains with military honors, will follow the reception at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Wayne.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:00 a.m.
Monday August 13, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Monday August 13, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the Reception
Monday August 13, 2018
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana 596636
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:00 a.m.
Monday August 13, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Monday August 13, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the Reception
Monday August 13, 2018
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana 596636
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Nancy Young says
To the family of Harold W. Williams. Words cannot express the pain you’re feeling. My family sends their deepest sympathy to you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Psalms 90 verse 12.
Maribeth Schulz says
Elaine, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in the loss of Wayne. You and Wayne were so welcoming to me , and I remember sitting on your front porch and getting to know you. You were such a wonderful example of a special couple. I was so happy to be part of your anniversary celebration. I have a picture frame on my buffet that says “Two of a kind” and on one side I have a picture of Les and I and on the other side you and Wayne. Every time I see that picture, I think how special you are. Just want you to know I love you.
Jane Lee Hamman says
Elaine, sending loving thoughts your way. I will always remember the support, encouragement and good cheer you and Wayne gave me at the Clancy UM Church. We had such a lovely Birthday Party for Wayne’s 90th Celebration and all were amazed hearing a few of the stories that earned him his service medals. May many happy memories of events like these bring you comfort for lives well lived together for 71 years. Wishing you many blessings. Love.