Wayne Humphries

Wayne Humphries, age 88, of Shelley, Idaho passed away at Mount Vernon Assisted Living in Idaho Falls, Idaho on March 6, 2012.  He was under the care of Aspen Home Health and Hospice

He was born September 18, 1923 at Rose, Idaho (near Blackfoot) to Harold Humphries and Ora May Chaffin Humphries.  When he was a few months old the family moved to the Woodville area (west of Shelley) where Wayne grew up and attended the Taysom School and Shelley High School.

Wayne received machinist training at a vocational school in Weiser, Idaho, then worked for Boeing Aircraft in Seattle, Washington building B-17 bombers until he entered the Army Air Corps on January 19, 1943.

He served in World War II as a tail gunner in B-17 Flying Fortresses in the 8

th

Air Force, then was transferred to the 9

th

Air Force where he flew in the A-20 Marauders.  He received an honorable discharge on June 16, 1945.

After returning home to Shelley, Idaho after the war, he met and married Twila Leona Russell in the Idaho Falls, Idaho LDS Temple on February 20, 1946.  They farmed west of Shelley and had four children.  They were later divorced.

Wayne farmed and worked in the maintenance departments of several potato-processing plants in the area, including Western Farmers, Idaho Potato Growers, Simplot, and Idaho Supreme.  He continued to work part-time at Idaho Supreme in Firth, Idaho until he was 84 years old.

He was an active member of the LDS church and a member of the David B. Bleak Post 93 American Legion in Shelley.

Wayne is survived by his four children: Stacia Herndon and Shawna (Kent) England of Shelley; Shayla (Mike) Hawkes of Moreland; and Gaylen Humphries of Idaho Falls; and 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.  Also surviving are his brothers, Eugene (Colleen) Humphries of Shelley and Eldon (Lois) Humphries of Ogden, Utah and a sister, Joan (Ted) Hodapp of Manti, Utah.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Leora (Rayo) Humpherys, and brother, Wendell (Nina) Humphries.

At Wayne’s request, no funeral service will be held.  His children will visit with family and friends at Nalder Funeral Home, 110 West Oak in Shelley, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on Thursday evening, March 8, 2012.  Private interment will be next to his parents and brother at Fielding Memorial Park in Idaho Falls.  The Shelley American Legion Post 93 will perform military rites.

Wayne’s family sincerely thanks Dr. Maley and Lisa at Eastern Idaho Cardiology and Dr. Freedman and his staff at University of Utah Hospital for the care they provided to Wayne for many years.

The family wishes to thank Carrie, Frank, Robin, and Patricia from Blackfoot Hospice and Serena, Juanita, Lucille, Anne, Candace and Wayne’s grandson, Bart for the excellent care they gave Wayne at his home.  Wayne and his family also appreciate the wonderful care and consideration provided by the management and staff at Mount Vernon Assisted Living and Aspen Home Health and Hospice in Idaho Falls.

In lieu of flowers, Wayne requested that donations be made in his name to Shelley Senior Citizens Center, P.O. Box 393, 193 West Pine, Shelley, Idaho 83274.