LaWayne Masters, age 92, passed away peacefully Nov. 5, 2010, at Whidbey General Hospital following a lengthy illness.

LaWayne was born Aug. 12, 1918, at his grandparents’ farm south of Colfax, Wash. He was the son of a traveling evangelist of the Church of God and was constantly on the road with his parents. Rural poverty and hardship were constant companions for him throughout his youth. He worked many jobs as a child bringing much needed income for his family. He developed a love for music while attending middle school in Dallas, Texas, and became an accomplished piano player, frequently playing solos at his father’s church. The family later moved to Marshfield, Ore., where he graduated from high school at age 16.

As the Great Depression wore on, LaWayne worked in the mills and manufacturing plants that surrounded Puget Sound, occasionally playing in a band to support himself. He later married Pauline and started a family and attended the College of the Puget Sound and the University of Washington. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps the day after Pearl Harbor and became a highly decorated pilot, flying 60 combat missions with the 439th Squadron in the 319th Bomb Group. He remained in the service for a distinguished 25-year career, serving both at home and abroad, rising to the rank of, and retiring as, a full Colonel in the U.S. Air Force In subsequent years he was a business entrepreneur and commercial real estate developer. He raised a family with his second wife Geri during the late ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s and later built their dream home in the California foothills, before retiring to Whidbey Island in 1985.

LaWayne was passionate about his family, friends, fishing, painting, and the Mariners. The Whidbey Presbyterian Church, in which he was highly active for the past 25 years, became one of the great, lasting joys of his life. He loved singing in the choir and served in numerous volunteer positions and missions within the church, including the Rwanda project. A big-hearted man, he remained kind, generous, compassionate and a consummate gentleman through his last breath. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by first wife Pauline and second wife Geri, brother Don, and sister Mary Ellen. LaWayne is survived by his four children, Judith, Donna, Douglas, and Thomas; his soul-partner and dear friend Dorothy Bradfield; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17 at the Whidbey Presbyterian Church with a reception immediately following at Heritage Hall. Memorial donations should be made to a charity of choice.

Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel where family and friends may go online at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com to sign a guest register and leave memories for the family.