WENDELL LEROY WAITE

Wendell Leroy Waite, 81, of Las Vegas, and formerly, Reno, Nevada, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2023, of natural causes. Wendell was born on July 24, 1941, as the youngest of five sons to William Noble and Annie Louisa “June” Harriman Waite. He grew up enjoying the beaches and body surfing in Southern California where he was raised. Wendell attended Brigham Young University where he earned his bachelor’s degree and an MBA. In 1965, Wendell married his eternal sweetheart, Kathleen Christensen Waite, of Payson, Utah. Together they had nine children. A loving and devoted father, Wendell taught his children of his faith in Jesus Christ, the importance of family relationships and how to balance a checkbook. He kept the family laughing with his playful nature. His posterity grew to include eight inlaw children, thirty-seven grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. Wendell was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a mission in the Central British Mission from 1961-63. He served in numerous church callings and had a profound love for family history work. Wendell had an entrepreneurial spirit that he passed down to many of his nine children. He spent his career as a CPA starting and building businesses through which he was able to provide well for his beloved family. In his midthirties, Wendell began taking voice lessons and became an accomplished singer. He performed in church, community theater, and for family and friends over the years. Recordings of his music with his wife accompanying him can be found on Spotify. Wendell is survived by his wife Kathleen, his children Julene (Brad) Ballard, Christine (Ray) Bezzant, Nathan (Katie) Waite, Jonathan (Stephanie) Waite, Aaron (Carolyn) Waite, Darleen (Seth) Meier, Marleen (Spencer) Gunnerson, David Waite, and Stephen (Diana) Waite, and thirty-six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Wendell is preceded in death by his parents William Noble and June Harriman Waite, his four brothers, Noble, Richard, Merwin and Kenneth Waite, his granddaughter Camille Waite and his great grandson James Knecht. Services will be held on Friday, March 31, 2023, at 11 a.m., with a viewing from 9:30-10:30 a.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 8801 W. Alexander Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89129. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Fund.