My memories of Wayman
I met Wayman when I was 16 and new to the youth group at Bible Temple. From that first day, it was clear that he and Sandy weren’t just youth leaders—they were like parents to so many of us. Together, they gave their hearts fully to helping teenagers, often at their own expense. Their love and commitment were unmistakable, and it would shape my life in ways I’m still discovering today.
Wayman wasn’t your typical youth pastor. His personality was strong and decisive, and he always seemed to have a wise answer for every question. If you were there for any service, you’d see him either preaching with passion or praying earnestly for teens—and you’d certainly hear his booming, worshipful voice echoing through the church. That voice carried not just volume, but genuine love for God and for each of us.
When I was 18, Wayman trusted me enough to serve with the youth group, standing at the back door as security—though I think it was more about making sure teens didn’t slip out than keeping anyone from coming in. It was a small responsibility, but it meant the world to me that he believed in me enough to give it.
I’ll never forget something he once told me: “If you could look inside my veins, you’d see teenagers running through them.” And I believe that was absolutely true. He poured everything he had into us, holding nothing back.
Wayman was a father figure to so many, including me. I never had a spiritual man in my life to lead me before him. He took me under his wing—sometimes literally, with an arm around my shoulder and a firm pinch to my neck just to make sure I was listening. His strength and guidance helped shape me into a better man of God.
At one point, Wayman gave me a job working alongside him and other contractors on fire-damaged homes. It was unskilled labor, but the two years I spent doing that work taught me lessons that stayed with me throughout my life and career. One day, while cleaning up a job site, I accidentally loaded trash cans onto the back of his pickup—unaware I’d placed them on top of a recently refurbished stained glass door. When Wayman saw what had happened, he locked his jaw and said calmly, “Duane, what did you do?”
I panicked and probably looked completely clueless as I responded, “What?” The glass had shattered. It turned out the door was expensive—far beyond what I could afford on my wages—but Wayman covered the cost himself and never held it over me. That was the kind of man he was: quick to forgive, slow to condemn, and always looking for ways to show grace rather than judgment.
When I met my wife Ronda, she was a single mom of three, and Wayman was one of three men in her life who were watching over her and the kids. So in order for me to date her, I was required to have a talk with him. He was tough on me, even knowing me as personally and well as he did. His father’s heart put his arm over my shoulder and squeezed very tightly to make sure he had my attention. With a tear in his eyes, I could see how much he cared for both of us. He made sure I understood the importance of the commitment I was asking for. After I gave him my yes, he and Sandy were genuinely excited for both of us.
That conversation perfectly captured who Wayman was—a man who loved fiercely, protected those in his care, and celebrated wholeheartedly when love prevailed. He helped me countless times over the years, not because he had to, but because that’s what fathers do for their children.
Wayman gave his life to pouring into teenagers, and the fruit of that investment lives on in all of us who were blessed to call him our spiritual father. His legacy isn’t just in the sermons he preached or the prayers he prayed, but in the lives he touched, the character he helped build, and the love he showed to each of us.
We are better people because Wayman lived, loved, and led the way he did. And while we’ll miss his booming voice and firm embraces, we carry forward the lessons he taught us and the love he showed us. That’s a legacy that will echo through generations.
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8 NIV