Wayne Bruce Young

Left behind to flounder without his gentle, sound advice and guidance are his children, Nancy Lynn, William Andrew and James Artell.

Wayne also leaves behind four grandchildren, Daniel Caverly, James Hemphill, William Bruce Young and baby girl Young to make her debut later this year; Three great-grandchildren, Madeleine Sloan (4), Logan Joseph, (2) and Kaylee Michele (3 weeks) and Brother Edward Bruce, niece Cleo Jean and nephew Bruce (currently living in Australia).

Wayne was the second son born to Hazel Bruce Young. His older brother Edward born in 1918 is truly the big brother he looked up to. Wayne and Ed (“Bud”)'s father died when he was 3 years old, and later Hazel remarried and provided a wonderful Father for Wayne and Edward, William Cerese, aka, PapPap to his grandchildren.

Wayne, as a youngster, was well-known as a champion snow sledder on the hilly streets of Braddock, PA, and Swissville, PA. Escorted home several times by the local “gendarme” after just missing crashing under a street car, Wayne returned to the hilly streets in 1988 and this time took his new pickup truck with fifth wheel attached on the same trip. Wayne's mother Hazel was a hairdresser who kept the ladies in the neighborhood looking sharp from her home “salon”. Years later, she applied those same skills to try and tame the tresses of her granddaughters.

In the last years of WWII, Wayne attempted to enlist in the Navy, but was temporarily thwarted as he had lied about his age (he was too young). After gaining assistance from a family friend who was also a U.S. Senator, he was allowed to enlist. He served his beloved America in Italy (stationed in Sicily) and postwar Brazil where he served as a shore patrol policeman. Wayne was gravely injured in an explosion on the docks, necessitating the removal of all his teeth which were shattered, without the benefit of sedation.

When Wayne returned to the States and was discharged, he and his family moved to Lakewood, CA in approximately 1946, where the family has lived since.

While working at Pacific Valves in Long Beach, Wayne met Alberta Gladys Williams and married her and her daughter Nancy in 1953. Wayne's mother, Hazel was quite surprised to meet Alberta and Nancy assuming from his conversations that Nancy was the fiancee!

Five year old Nancy was equally surprised that immediately after returning from their honeymoon, no baby sister was found in the back seat of the car. (A natural progression of love and marriage to her). Nancy would have to wait 12 years for her siblings to be born.

Wayne, his Dad and Uncle were steelworkers and Wayne and his Dad worked for Bethlehem Steel in Los Angeles for many, many years where he was exposed to the carcinogen benzene - thought to be the origin of the leukemia that claimed his life.

After the “mills” closed, Wayne was employed by North American Aviation, Downey as a tool and die maker, then quality control inspector for the heat shield tiles on the Space Shuttle. While employed by North American, William Andrew and James Artel were born, much to chagrin of his daughter Nancy who was 17 at the time.

Throughout Nancy, William and James' childhood, Wayne and Alberta were avid campers. The whole family spent many summer vacations in beautiful Sequoia National Park, particularly Hume Lake.

When production on the Space Shuttle was reduced, Wayne took a demotion in order to maintain his health insurance benefits to provide medical coverage for his beloved wife Alberta when she became ill with cancer. He stayed employed until her death in 1986, then retired.

After his retirement, Wayne purchased a pick up truck and fifth wheel and took off to explore his beloved America, making at least 5 cross country trips. During his trips Wayne would video his journey; often forgetting to turn off the camera he placed on the dashboard of the truck providing a stomach clenching “ride” for the viewer through the mountains of Wyoming, a trip to Mt Rushmore and on the streets of his hometown in Pennsylvania!

In September, 2005, he expressed his gratitude to his daughter that his son, Bill, was finally settling down with a beautiful, fine young woman, Denia. “It's about time”, he remarked as Bill was 40 years old when he married. A “late bloomer” according to Daddy.

In September, 2006, William Bruce Young was born to Bill and Denia. Little JB was a bright light in his life. He constantly commented “oh what a beautiful grandson my son has given me”.

Wayne lived in his home on Briercrest until his death. Diagnosed just eight months ago with Acute Myologenous Leukemia, Wayne was cared for on a daily basis by his Son and Daughter in law, Bill and Denia until his death. Our Daddy passed away around 12:45 pm Saturday, May 17 at home in Bill's arms. For this we are all grateful. Son James and Nancy and grandsons Daniel and James were inbound from Los Angeles and Riverside County respectively when he passed.

For his gentle, loving guidance throughout our lives we, his children and grandchildren give thanks. His love of his Lord and dedication to his beloved Alberta have been a beacon in our lives. He was our guide, our Rock, our beloved Father.