Morris Wayne Snelling, June 22, 1939 - Oct. 22, 2023, was born to Mayme Pauline Flynn and Willis Lyle Snelling in Kansas City, Kansas. He went home to be with his Lord from home in Tehachapi, with wife, Lauraine, and Fr. Wes Clare in attendance. Wayne was cremated and a celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

After his family moved from Kansas to Washington state when he was 17, Wayne and his brother Mike loved hiking and fishing. Wayne dreamed of becoming a forest ranger. Wayne and Lauraine met in college in 1960, were married in 1962 and went into dairy farming with friends in Yelm, Washington. From there they moved to Kent, Washington to train as a carpenter, which he did until he retired in his 50s due to asthma.

After their three children grew, Kevin, Marie (who died of cancer just before turning 21) and Brian, Wayne and Lauraine traveled around the United States researching and promoting her books as her career as an author and speaker blossomed. After they bought a home in Tehachapi in 1997, Wayne kept busy with repairing and building whatever anyone asked, from potting benches, fencing and floor to ceiling bookshelves to small buildings, like storage, pump house, a chicken house and mowing with the small tractor. They joined and became active members of St. Jude's Anglican Church on the Mountain. Fishing remained his favorite sport, especially with son Kevin, along with traveling in their motor coach.

Wayne was preceded in death by his father, Lyle, stepmother Harriet and daughter Marie. He was survived by wife, Lauraine and their sons Kevin and Brian. Also, by his brother Mike Lillis and younger sister Terry McCollum.

Donations may be made in remembrance to St. Jude's on the Mountain for debt reduction.

Wood Family Funeral Service has been entrusted with his care. For condolences, please visit http://www.woodmortuary.net.