Lawrence W. "Wayne" Personette died peacefully at home on August 15, 2025, at 93 years of age.

Born to Leiah "Edith" and William Personette on August 21,1931 in Parma, ID, Wayne was the 10th child in a family of 12 children. His parents dry farmed, and Wayne helped dredge irrigation ditches, tend livestock, haul hay, and operate horse-drawn farming equipment from an early age. He joked that his big hands came from milking cows. In high school, Wayne excelled in sports and became captain of the Parma High School football team. He walked several miles back home after practice and did his chores and homework before sleeping on the porch of a one-bedroom house with his brothers. Determined to get a college education, Wayne studied at Boise Junior College and played football. Later, he married his high school sweetheart, Audrey Shute in 1953 and shared a love for 72 years. Then at Idaho State, Wayne had a football scholarship. He managed a Chevron station, attended classes, and helped raise his five children. Being drafted into the U.S. Army changed their plans. Wayne decided to make the military his career and became a decorated officer, commanded tank troops, implemented logistics plans, worked at the Pentagon, and was the Commandant of the Idaho Military Academy for the Idaho National Guard. He was followed into the military by his sons and two great-grandsons.

After Viet Nam, he completed his B.A. in P. E. at NNU and moved east. In 1977, Wayne retired as a Lt. Col. in the service, moved to Nampa (home base) with his family, and worked for several local businesses. Wherever his career took him, Wayne and his family were active in church. In Nampa, he was involved at the First Church of the Nazarene as a teacher, usher, choir member, and Sunday School Superintendent. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and RVing with Audrey in The Good Sam Club. He was involved in Love, Inc, Nampa Civitan Club, American Legion, and many veterans' activities. He also was a handyman; he liked collecting tools and trying to keep up with digital technology. He loved watching BSU's football and NNU athletics.

Wayne is survived by an elder sister, Anna Ashby; his wife, Audrey (Shute); his two sons, Ron (Cindi) and Mike (Sandy); his daughters, Elaine Mallow, Joyce Bowman (Kirk), and Amy. He has thirteen grandkids and many great/great-great grandchildren. His family will miss him deeply and love him always.

A Celebration of Life Service will be on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 10:00 AM  in the chapel at Nampa First Church of the Nazarene, 1421 6th St S, Nampa, ID.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Wayne's name to Love INC of Tresure Valley, 16446 N. Franklin Blvd., Nampa, ID 83687 or to the NNU Athletics Dept., 623 So. University Blvd., Nampa, ID 83686.