Randall Edwin Waits

Randall Edwin Waits passed away peacefully in Vancouver, WA, on Tuesday September 21, 2010. He was surrounded by his loving family and staff of Fishers’ Landing Assisted Living, where he lived for the past nineteen months.

Randy was born on March 22, 1924 in Cheyenne, WY to Edwin and Marie (Vossler) Waits. On his 17th birthday his mother signed for him to join the Navy. He was in Pearl Harbor on December 7,1941 when it was attacked by Japan. Once the USS Enterprise arrived in port, Randy boarded and spent the rest of the war serving on the “BIG E”. In 1943, while in Bremerton, he met Phyllis Moore of Naches, and on September 20, 1943 they were married. After six years of service he and Phyllis eventually settled in Yakima where Randy worked as a plumber for many years. He then went to work for the Yakima County Bridge Crew, retiring in 1988.

In 1962 through the intervention of Rev. Jamison, of the Yakima Evangelical Church, Randy surrendered his life to God. This transformation had a lasting impact on his family and friends. He and Phyllis attended Yakima Evangelical Church, as well as many other churches in the valley. He devoted many hours to leading Bible studies and preaching at the Union Gospel Mission.

With coffee cup in hand, Randy made many friends wherever he went. It was a family tradition to meet every afternoon for coffee at various restaurants. Even his great grandchildren participated.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three siblings, his wife of 65 years Phyllis and a granddaughter, Theresa Groenig.

Randy is survived by his children; Tom (Andrea) Waits of Vancouver, WA, Ruth (Norm) Groenig of Gig Harbor, WA, and Mike (Marilyn) Waits of Yakima. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Geoff and Tara Waits, Marc and Melissa Waits, Josh Waits, Tina and Meredith Ayling, Tammy and Ken Bowen, Mandy and Jeff Burkett and Jenn Waits. Randy is also survived by 14 great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday Oct 9, 2010, at West Hills Memorial Park. A gathering will follow at Westside Church, 6901 Summitview Ave.

Donations in Randy’s name may be made to the Union Gospel Mission, in care of Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home, 1010 W. Yakima Ave. Yakima, WA 98902

Condolences may be offered at www.langevin-mussetter.com.

Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.