James “Jim or Mike” Michael Waite, of Columbus, Georgia passed on May 7, 2026, at the age of 79. There will be a visitation on Wednesday May 13, 2026 from 10:00 am until 10:30 am at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Rd., Columbus; a Funeral Service will follow at 10:30 am. A Committal Service with Military Honors will be held at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery, 553 AL-165, Fort Mitchell, AL 36856, US, on May 13, 2026, from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.
Jim was born December 1, 1946, in McAllen, Texas; the son of Jerome Matthew Waite and Juanita Jean Brown Helscher. He grew up in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi and graduated from Bay High School in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Jim served in the U.S. Army, he received the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Marksman Badge. Jim graduated from Loyola University with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce; William Carey College with a Masters of Business Administration and Batangas State University with a degree in Math Education.
Jim married Rosana Oliquino Binalla Waite of the Philippines, on April 4, 1998 at Church of Christ in Homestead, Florida. Jim was previously married to Beverly “Jo” Thornton, before her passing they had two wonderful daughters that continued to bless his and Rosana’s life; Beverly “Michelle” Hillebrand, and Mary “Chelsey” Goodsell.
Throughout his life Jim provided for his family using his skills and talents including as a Pharmaceutical Representative, he owned several successful businesses, then he felt the calling to become a teacher. Jim was a Mathematics and Bible Teacher at Redland Christian Academy, Elementary and Middle School, a Mathematics Professor at Batangas State University in the Philippines, and retired in 2016 as a Mathematics Teacher at Faith Middle School at DoDea in Fort Benning.
Jim was a man of faith, he believed in God, he read and studied the bible every day, and he was a man of prayer. This guided him throughout his life; he was a member of the Church of Christ. He was kind, he was gentle, he helped others, he was generous and he was slow to anger. Jim enjoyed traveling, scuba diving, riding his motorcycle, fishing, his pets, and tending to his yard. Jim had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. Jim had a passion for Scuba Diving, he shared this passion by becoming a Scuba Diving Instructor and teaching in both the United States and in the Philippines.
Jim was preceded in death by: his parents, Jerome Matthew Waite and Juanita Jean Brown Helscher; and his brothers, Robert Patrick Waite, Jerome Alexander Waite, William Timothy Waite.
Survivors include: his wife, Rosana Oliquino Binalla Waite; his two loving and successful daughters, Beverly “Michelle” (Marc) Hillebrand, Mary “Chelsey” Goodsell; his sister, Nina Jean Waite Carver; his brothers, Richard Terrence Waite, Keven Daniel Waite; 5 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
