Wayne G. Peterson, 76

Wayne G. Peterson, 76, passed away Dec. 12, 2022, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He was born in Payson, Utah, on July 2, 1946, to Charles and Mary Peterson. He was one of seven children. In his younger years, he worked on his family farm; he drove trucks delivering flour, he was an avid hunter, he liked to dance and spent a lot of time having fun in his cars. He attended Spanish Fork High School. He married and divorced twice. He married Jody Wiley and they had two sons together. He then married Pamela Wahl and they had two daughters together.

He was drafted into the Army in 1969, and deployed to Vietnam in 1970. After he was honorably discharged, he had his own construction company in Boise, Idaho. He later moved his family to Post Falls, Idaho, where he worked for the state as a heavy equipment operator. He then ran heavy equipment for the next 40 years.

Our dad’s passion was old cars. He enjoyed fixing, restoring, customizing cars and reading about cars. He was always up for a car show and belonged to the National Antique Oldsmobile Club, where he was a 1957 advisor. He really enjoyed that. He thought it was so neat that people from all over the country called him to ask his advice. He built many friendships over the years because of his love of cars.

He liked to go out to breakfast and go for a ride. He had a good laugh and a cheeky sense of humor. He gave good hugs. He liked strong coffee and his mom’s homemade bread. He liked old country music and he liked to visit with his family.

Dad’s last year was tough. He had his ups and downs. In his final weeks, he was a bit more like himself. It was really nice. Thank you to all of the people who helped care for him.

Wayne is survived by his brothers, Allen and Mike Peterson; sister Gloria Gardner; sons David and Kody Peterson; daughters Jeena Rooney and Kimber Peterson; and 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Wendell and Lee Peterson, sister Marion Hudson and his second wife.

As we write these words, they only hint at the kind of person he was. Words could never fully describe his life and just how much his loss is felt. We love you dad. And, to all that called him a friend, thank you.

Please remember him in your own way. Celebrate your friendship and his life. Remember him fondly and with love. His urn will be placed at Spanish Fork City Cemetery in Spanish Fork, Utah, with his family. A dedication will be held in spring 2023.

Instead of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association to help find a cure. www.alz.org.

Please visit Wayne’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.