Wayne Leon Waugh, 96, of Statesville, N.C., passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2020, at Maple Leaf Health Care.

He was born March 25, 1924, in Iredell County, N.C., and was the son of the late Marvin Thomas Waugh and Mamie Massey Waugh. Wayne was married 54 years to his loving wife, Rebekah Dutton Waugh, who preceded him in death in 1999. He was also preceded in death by a son, Kenneth Wayne Waugh; a brother, Don Waugh; and a sister, Alma Patterson.

Mr. Waugh attended Sharon High School. His first public job was hauling milk for Carnation Milk Company. He then worked as a carpenter, building homes for Coite Brady, one year for A.D. Lindsey and twenty-five years for Phillip Hoover. He built many homes in the community and Statesville area. He was also a small dairy farmer. Mr. Waugh was an active member of New Sterling ARP Church, where he served as Elder and Deacon. He also used his expertise on building projects for the church. He was a volunteer fireman for West Iredell Fire Department for 45 years. He was a member of the West Iredell Ruritans. Wayne loved eating breakfast at the Dairy Bar in Stony Point. The DeJarnnetts, who are the owners of the Dairy Bar, the waitresses, and all the friends he ate with were like family to him.

Wayne loved building furniture and playhouses for his family. He also loved collecting rocks and minerals and Native American arrowheads and artifacts. He was very involved in politics and still receives a Christmas card from President Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn every year.

Mr. Waugh is survived by one son, James David Waugh of Huntersville, N.C.; one daughter, Linda Rebekah Waugh Harper and husband Tony David Harper of Statesville; a daughter-in-law, Gloria Walker Waugh; seven grandchildren, Cindi Harper Bowman, Erica Harper-Redfoot and husband Jason, Erin Waugh Brady and husband Anthony, Sarah Waugh, Vernon Shoaf and wife Rebecca, Tresa Shaw, and Kristi Byers and husband Chad. Wayne also had seventeen great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service will be conducted at New Sterling ARP Church, Stony Point with Dr. Tim Watson officiating. Mr. Waugh will lie in state Tuesday, April 21, 2020, from 12 to 5 p.m. A memorial and celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to New Sterling ARP Church, 592 New Sterling Rd., Stony Point, NC 28678. Fond memories and condolences may be left at  www.nicholsonfunerals.com. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the Waugh family.

John 11:25 “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies…”