He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Carol Johnston Crochet; three children: Bill Crochet (Selena King) of Houston, TX; Stephen Crochet (Nicole Maris) of Alexandria, VA; and Laura Reddy (Steve Reddy) of Halifax, Nova Scotia; and six grandchildren: Liam, Marcelle, Reese, Walker, Will, and Maggie. He was predeceased by his parents, Bill and Gertrude, as well as his three siblings, Bill, Warren, and Joyce Owens.
A lifelong resident of New Orleans, he graduated from Behrman High School where he served as Drum Major under the guidance of legendary teacher and musician Milton “Whitey” Bush. He attended Oklahoma University and graduated from Loyola University, where he also earned his law degree. Wayne served as 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968 as Forward Observer, B Company 2/35th Infantry and Executive Officer B Battery 2/9th Field Artillery. For his brave service he received many awards, including the Bronze Star Medal. He began his career in the Oil and Gas Industry with Brown & Root, where he worked for 26 years, and practiced law for the past 30 years focusing on small businesses in the construction industry as well as estate planning and successions. Dedicated to his neighborhood, community, the city he held so dear, and as a firm believer in civic duty and responsibility, he gave back countless volunteer hours to the organizations that fostered his family and career. He was a lifetime member of The Harvey Canal Industrial Association (now WBIA), serving as President in the mid-eighties. As a graduate of New Orleans Public Schools, as are his wife and three children, he served as President of the Alice Harte Elementary PTO as well as President of the Ben Franklin High School PTO. In response to the rebuilding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, he was a founding Board member of InspireNOLA Charter Schools and, most recently, served as President of the Board until his death. Well known for his kindness, sense of humor, love of life, and willingness to help however he could at the drop of a hat, his dedication to making the world a better place will live on in his friends, colleagues, and his family whom he cherished. No account can reflect his unique approach to life; he knew no enemies, carried himself with the greatest humility, cheerfully engaged with every walk of life, and perfected the art of barter, reciprocity, and pro bono service to others.
A service to celebrate Wayne's life will be held on Saturday, April 9th, 2022 at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd. Metairie, LA. Visitation will be held from 11AM - 1PM with a prayer service to begin at 1PM.
Gifts in his memory can be made to InspireNOLA Charter Schools https://www.inspirenolacharterschools.org/support.
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