Wayne Bryce Weech passed away at home on February 17, 2010 after a lengthy illness. Wayne was born on April 8, 1922 in Pima to Jeanette Bryce and A. Ellis Weech. He grew up in Pima and loved to spend time on the mountain whenever he could. He enjoyed telling great stories of the fun trips made up to Columbine on the spur of the moment, especially the one about “borrowing” a burro for the trip.Wayne attended Pima schools, graduating with the class of 1940. That year he was Student Body President, which was the same year Pima High School’s mascot was changed to the Roughrider. He also attended Gila Academy (Eastern Arizona College).
He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II in the Pacific Theater and reached the rank of staff sergeant. After the war, he finished his associate degree at Gila and then attended BYU, graduating in 1948. In 1954, he married Marie Jacobs. They had six children: Barbara (Ron) Hogeland, Betty (Carter) McEuen, Mike (Brook) Weech, Matt (Connie) Weech, Nori (Bruce) Hendry, and Lois Vu.
Wayne worked as a systems manager for over 30 years in the aerospace industry, including on the Apollo moon mission team and the Space Shuttle team. He was proud of being part of the efforts that safely sent men to the moon and helped make it routine to explore space in Earth orbit.
After retirement, he married Alene Lines, who with her family has done an amazing job of loving and caring for him in his twilight years.
Wayne has 30 grandchildren, and 29 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and by two of his sisters, Venna and Annabelle. He is survived by his brothers Dall (Brenda) Weech, Kenny (Kathy) Weech and by his sister Kathy (Gene) Webster.
A viewing was held on Sunday evening, February 21, 2010 at 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. in the Relief Society Room of the Pima Arizona Stake Center and one hour prior to funeral services. Funeral services were Monday, February 22, 2010 at 11 a.m. at the Pima Arizona Stake Center, with Bishop Gerald Schmidt of the Pima Second Ward conducting. Burial followed in the Pima Cemetery.
Mike & Brook - it was nice to read about Mike's father's life. We did meet him and thought he was a pretty interesting fellow. We truly are sorry for your loss. We are keeping you in our thoughts. Much love, Paula and Morris
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