Wayne Wendell Howell, age 85, died Wednesday June 6 at St. Peter Hospital. He was born August 24, 1932 at Dryad, Washington to Elmer and Emma Howell. His parents moved to a farm at Pe Ell and Wayne had a life long bond with that place. He graduated from Pe Ell High School in 1950 with perfect attendance K-12.
He was proud of being a second generation Cougar, graduating from Washington State University with a BA in Agriculture in 1954. Three generations of the family lived at Ferry Hall, with his father’s dorm room being two doors down from his.
He joined the Air Force achieving the rank of Major before leaving the service after 18 years. He always liked to tell the story of how he studied (unsuccessfully!) for weeks trying to beat the test for color blindness so he could fly.
A long time science educator and basketball coach, he started his career at Naselle High School, teaching in Napavine, Pe Ell and for 17 years at Chinook Middle School in Lacey, WA. He always enjoyed hearing of his many students who also became teachers.
He was a 55 year member of Masonic Lodge 28 in Chehalis.
He is survived by Ellen Floyd Howell, his wife of 63 years, his older brother Nathan (Logie) Howell of Centralia, four children Greg (Debbie) Howell, Doug (L’vonne) Howell, Deborah Artale, and Shari (John) Greenlee, six grandchildren Kaylyn (Boyd) Lucas, Kevin (Jenni) Howell, Quinn Douglas, Max (Nicole) Greenlee, Joseph Greenlee and Coleton Artale.
He absolutely adored his two great granddaughters, Brookelynn and Bostynn Lucas, spending many happy hours rocking them to sleep while watching the Mariners.
At his request, no services will be held. Memorials can be made to the Crimson Opportunity Scholarship Fund at Washington State University.