Everett Wayne Simon of Wenatchee, WA, passed away Saturday, June 25, 2016, at
his assisted living home (Spiritwood at Pine Lake) in Sammamish, WA. He was
born August 20, 1922 in Wenatchee, WA to Eben and Violet (Zavitz) Simon. He
graduated from Wenatchee High School in 1941, where he loved playing center
and defensive lineman for the Panthers.
Moved by a strong sense of national pride and duty, three days after the
attack on Pearl Harbor, Wayne joined the Army Air Corps on December 10, 1941
and was called to active duty 25 days later. He trained as a pilot to fly the
B-24 Liberator and was honored to serve as a First Lieutenant in the 15th Air
Force. During his service, he had an emergency crash landing in Northern
Africa and suffered injuries that ended his combat flying tenure. He spent
many months recovering from his injuries in military hospitals from Marrakesh,
French Morocco, Casablanca, Italy, Bringham City, UT to Spokane, WA. After
full recovery, he went back to active duty in Smyrna, TN and flew around the
U.S. retrieving spare parts for B-24 aircrafts.
Wayne met his first wife, Roberta (Wyman) Simon, in Pueblo, CO while he was
stationed at the Pueblo Air Force Base. They were married July 4, 1944 at the
First Methodist Church in Pueblo when he returned from overseas. He was
discharged at Fort Lewis, WA October 20, 1945.
The couple moved to Wenatchee, WA in 1947 to start their family. Wayne
purchased his first apple orchard and began a farming career that extended to
his retirement. They had two children: Larry Wayne, who in 1963 preceded him
in death due to heart surgery complications at the age of 16 and Connie Marie,
who in 1991 also preceded him in death due to breast cancer at the age of 41.
His wife, Roberta, preceded him in death July 11, 2003. He was preceded in
death also by a brother, Eben Simon.
Wayne was an avid volunteer. He served as Captain of the Chelan County Fire
District #1 from 1948-1963 and Chelan County #1 Fire Commissioner for six
years. Which is ironic, as he and his brother Forrest “Forrey,” nearly burned
down a family barn on Independence Day in 1934, as mischievous young boys
taking an interest in a skyrocket firework.
He also volunteered with the Chelan County Sherriff’s Posse from 1967-1973,
served on Mission Ridge Ski Patrol for three years and gave time to his
church, Central Christian (Now Cornerstone Christian) for many years.
Wayne later married Betty Ann (Recchia) Simon in July of 2005. They enjoyed
traveling together and visited England, Ireland, Scotland, North and South
Wales. They cruised to many places, Alaska, Panama Canal and the
Mediterranean. You could find Wayne reading his Bible often on the patio in
the sun, having coffee with friends, playing golf and he was always up for
going out to a good meal at any local establishment.
Wayne will always be remembered as a kind, loving and honest person. A quote
he cherished: “Anger is the Wind that Blows Out the Light of Reason” - Robert
Green Ingersoll.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Betty Ann (Recchia) Simon of Sammamish, WA; his
brother, Forrest Simon (Wilma) of Gig Harbor, WA; sister-in-law, Regina Simon
of Wenatchee, WA; many special people who were like children to him: Darcel
and Tom Troy, David and Debbie Recchia, Denise Recchia-Agnew and Michael
Agnew, Tressa and Mike Compton, Mardell and Mike Mudlin and Sharon and Skip
Steinbach.
A Service of Tribute will be held Friday, July 1, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St.
Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wenatchee, WA. Pastor Mark Hein will officiate.
There will be a reception following with pie (Wayne’s favorite). Memorials may
be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or Children’s Hospital of Seattle.
Telford’s Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee, WA, is taking care of Wayne’s
arrangements.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Everett Simon hosted by Chapel of the Valley.