Noble Wayne Little
Noble Wayne Little, 95, passed away on 10/31/21 in Mesa, AZ. Wayne was born to Walter and Myrtle Little on March 18, 1926 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was the youngest child having three brothers; Hoyt, Orville, Marlin and sisters Frances and Margie. All family members passed before him.
Wayne’s family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona when he was 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 and Erma married on September 12, 1946.
Wayne joined the Phoenix Fire Department in 1951 and retired as a Captain in 1981. Through the 30 years of service he worked at seven different stations, the longest at Station 6.
Wayne and Erma raised three daughters; Sheila Joyce, Jan Renay and Denise Marie. The family 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’d 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.
He and mom 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 passed away unexpectedly on June 13th 2010 and that was a deep loss.
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, Sunshine Acres Children’s Home, or The Alzheimer’s Association.