Wayne Little

It is with heavy hearts the family of N. Wayne Little announce his passing on October 31, 2021 in Mesa Arizona. He is preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Erma Lee Little and his daughter Jan Renay Criswell. Wayne was born to Walter and Myrtle Little on March 18, 1926 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was the youngest child with three older brothers; Hoyt, Orville, Marlin and two sisters Frances and Margie. All preceded him in death.

Wayne’s family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona when he was quite young. Before graduating from Phoenix Union High School, he met Erma Elliott. With a new courtship blossoming, Wayne enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during WW II as a Machinist’s Mate Third Class, on the UUS Cache and the USS McKean. Wayne received campaign metals and Stars for: Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign - 7 Stars; American Area Campaign; Philippine Liberation Campaign - 1 Star; Victory Medal World War II

Throughout the two-years and two months serving his country, he and Erma wrote letters to each other. Wayne received an honorable discharge and four months later he married Erma on September 12, 1946.

Wayne joined the Phoenix Fire Department on September 1, 1951 and retired as a Captain on February 29, 1981. Through the 30 years of service he worked at seven different stations, the longest at Station 6.

Wayne, Erma and their daughters enjoyed trips to the Pacific Coast visiting relatives. Most travel was by truck and camper. Lots of fun memories camping in the Arizona Mountains with firefighter families.

One of Wayne’s passion was fixing wrecked cars and reselling or …. keeping them. He would come home and tell Erma he bought a car, explaining “it was easy rollover.”

Wayne had talent to drive a golf ball straight off the tee and won several tournaments in his younger years. He even had two hole-in-ones in his later years. He and Erma made lasting friendships with couples from the Hummer’s Golf Club at ViewPoint RV Park.

Wayne and Erma loved to travel throughout North America in their truck and camper. Sometimes to visit friends at their summer homes that wintered at ViewPoint. They also traveled with firefighter friends and visited the landmarks of our country.

They celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary in September 2019. Erma passed the next month on October 5. Their daughter Jan (Randy) passed away unexpectedly on June 13th 2010 and that was a deep loss.

Wayne was loved and cherished by many people including his daughters, Sheila Ringey (Terry) and Denise Little Eslick. His grandchildren; Tammy, Jayme, Renay, Wayne, Amanda, Austin and great-grandchildren; Hannah, Maddie, Riley, Rayna, Ren, Annabelle, John, Aiden, Brody, Braylee, Conrad and Cora.

Wayne raised his daughters to be strong, and we are forever grateful. While we mourn the loss of this exceptional man, he created special memories for all of us to treasure. A life well lived.

In Lieu of flowers please donate to The Phoenix Fire Foundation Honor Guard; The Alzheimer’s Association; Sunshine Acres Children’s Home.

Services for N. Wayne Little will be at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona at 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd. Phoenix Arizona, 85024 at 9:00 a.m. November 19, 2021.