Wayman J. Starnes
June 5, 1936 – November 19, 2021
On Friday, November 19, 2021, Wayman Starnes – loving husband, father of two daughters, and grandfather to three grandsons – passed away.
When a thought crosses your mind that you want to share with others about Wayman’s life, start it by saying, “That reminds me of a story…”. His story was one of love, laughter and adventure. He was born on June 5, 1936 to Plummer (P.M.) and Ollie Starnes in Knob Lick, Missouri. He was one of 16 siblings. Wayman was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Horace, Russell, Clara, Lois, Vernon, Kermit, Bruce, Orville, Edith, Lucille, Evelyn, Alma, Tom and Inez.
Wayman married Susan Smith on April 25, 1964 in St. Louis, Missouri. They shared 57 wonderful years of adventure and travel. He is survived by two daughters: Shelly Brock (husband Rich) and Shannon Zornes (husband Carl); grandsons Hayden Hoffman, Christian Hoffman and Nathan Zornes; and numerous nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren.
Wayman was a master carpenter with over 60 years in the Carpenter’s Union. He started his own business in 1968, Wayman J Starnes, Builder, and built custom homes and did remodeling for 30 years. In 1998 he incorporated with a partner, Matt Crews, and they worked together until he retired in 2001. In retirement he did volunteer work repairing homes; his strength was giving wise counsel to solve difficult problems. He created beautiful handmade toys, puzzles, and cutting boards for others in his spare time.
If you want to honor Wayman’s long and happy life, befriend everyone you meet, stop to help others on the side of the road, and pick up strangers and give them a ride, because you never know when they might be an angel in disguise. Learn to love people for who they are and always find something good in every person.
Join a search and rescue team and look for lost children, teenagers and adults.
Join a disaster relief chainsaw team and help families and communities during natural disasters.
Join the Canaan Baptist Church Men’s Ministry and make repairs and improvements at the homes of widows, the infirm and those in need.
Join the Thundering Thursday Motorcycle group and feel the wind whip through your hair every Thursday evening.
Teach 5th and 6th grade Sunday school and start every lesson off with “That reminds me of a Bible Story.”
Travel in an RV (or on your motorcycle pulling a teardrop RV) and visit state and national parks around the US, including the ones in Alaska.
Get your pilot’s license and fly all over the country visiting family and friends.
Go fishing frequently. Get certified in scuba-diving with your whole family and explore the waters of the Caribbean.
Entertain young children with sleight-of-hand magic tricks.
When you are no longer able to do all the things you used to do, join the “Gateway Harmonica Club” and play for the community at senior living homes and churches.
Keep your back door open and sit on a porch swing, feed the birds, and read a book. Invite anyone and everyone to join you for coffee and challenge you at cards.
Host a deer camp on your farm every year, even on the last weekend of your life.
Buy an electric bike at age 84 so you can still get some exercise and chat with your neighbors.
Love everyone in your world unconditionally. Above all, love the Lord with all you heart, and be a humble servant to him and to everyone you meet.
Services: Visitation will be Thursday, December 9th, 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., and Friday, December 10th at 10:00 a.m. Celebration of Life will be held December 10th at 11:00 a.m. All services at Canaan Baptist Church, 5409 Baumgartner Road, St. Louis. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Canaan Baptist Church Men’s Ministry.