Wonderful man and example

Angela Johnston

Wayman always made me feel seen and heard even when we had different perspectives. He had strong preferences but he kept an open mind and heart. I saw him love people in a life-giving way over and over again. I echo one of the comments from the service: everything I did in service that I didn’t think much about, he would tell me I did a great job. I didn’t even realise anyone had noticed and he made me feel it mattered. His worshipping heart was a great blessing always. His use of humour to address shortcomings was well-known (like when he sent someone doing 90% talking and 10% helping to another worker to find the elbow grease. Which the person did, and got sent all around the building until he was informed what was meant by elbow grease.) He modeled God’s patient love. I can also attest to his love of sports (he once told me I was hard-hearted because I found the idea of crying over a boxing movie preposterous.) And he was always grateful for anything done for him. While in the UK, I think he swapped out his preference for steaks with fish and chips as I think the steaks in the US were better. He had a big welcoming heart and he went out of his way to stand by people in their most difficult moments. It’s impossible to fully describe the impact of his life on so many, and not just young people but others who were in trouble. He poured out his life faithfully and sacrificially without keeping score. I’m sure he will be amazed when God presents him with the record of all that was done for others and for God that he had long forgotten about. A wonderful example and a great treasure.