Most Worshipful Brother Wayne Joseph Deming was born in Atwater, California, to Wayne Winfield Deming and Sarah Knowles Deming on July 9, 1918. The family moved to Fresno and it was there that our brother attended and graduated from the public schools. On May 18, 1940, he and the lovely Anna Belle Perry were united in marriage at Carson City, Nevada. He was employed by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company and during World War II he enlisted in the Navy and served with the Seabees in the South Pacific until the end of the war.
In 1941, a son, Charles Wayne, was born to Wayne and Anna Belle. At the end of the war the family was reunited and, in 1946, moved to Bellingham, where an opportunity to go into business presented itself, and for several years the business of electrical contracting occupied his time.
The Masonic journey of our brother began in 1950 when he petitioned Bellingham Bay Lodge No. 44. He would beRaised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on February 9, 1951. He was busy, then, learning the ritualistic work and preparing himself for advancement in the Lodge. As he worked in the Lodge, his son, Charles, was initiated into Chuckanut Chapter, Order of DeMolay. The family became much engrossed in that. Mrs. Deming served as Worthy Matron of Maple Leaf Chapter No. 58, Order of Eastern Star, and Charles became Master Councilor of ChuckanutDeMolay, and received many of the Honors of the Order. Our Most Worshipful Sir became an officer in Bellingham Bay Lodge and soon advanced to the office of Junior Deacon when difficult times came. He suffered an eye injury in his work which he personally felt would prevent him from finishing up his work in the Lodge. After much counseling and encouragement he decided to carry on and, as a result, became one of the most outstanding Worshipful Masters the Lodge has ever had. His talent of leadership was soon recognized by others, and he was appointed Deputy of the Grand Master in District No. 10 in 1963,then reappointed in 1964. As he became better known, his light shone on many more and, as a result, he was appointed Junior Grand Deacon in 1966. In 1967, at the Annual Communication held in Yakima, he was elected by his Brethren to serve as Junior Grand Warden. At succeeding Annual Communications he was advanced and was elected Grand Master at the Annual Communication held in Tacoma in June of 1970.
All the while our distinguished Brother was advancing in the Fraternity, he also had moments of extreme sadness. Sadness that only made him more determined that the great lessons must be carried on. His beloved son, Charles Wayne, was now married and he and his wife, Elaine, were parents of two small children, Charlayne and Roger. Charles was taken ill very suddenly and, although everything possible was done, this young man, who had just proven up on his Master Mason Degree Proficiency, was taken from us. These were sad days for this closely knit family. However, with understanding hearts, Wayne and Anna Belle, who have deep religious backgrounds, resolved to carry on. With Anna Belle beside him, our distinguished Brother moved forward steadily. The example of fortitude, endurance and good will of this couple will always be an inspiration to thousands throughout this Grand Jurisdiction.
Many honors have come to Most Worshipful Brother Wayne J. Deming. As a result of his outstanding work in the York Rite bodies, he holds the Knight York Cross of Honor. He is also an active member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Bellingham, and holds the honor of Knight Commander Court of Honor awarded by the Supreme Council in 1969, and has been coroneted a 33rd Degree Inspector General Honorary. In 1967, he received the DeMolay Legion of Honor and, in 1971, at the State Conclave in Seattle, he received the DeMolay Cross of Honor.
He was also Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand near the Grand Lodge of Washington.
From the time of the war years when he was Chief Electrician's Mate, during the years when he was in business for himself, through all his Masonic experiences, and from the time he stood in the northeast corner of the Lodge until he was succeeded in the office of Grand Master of Masons in Washington and Alaska, he has remained an outstanding example for all of us. His official duties as Grand Master long ended, Most Worshipful Brother Wayne is continually sought out by his Brethren for advice and counsel, because he still has much service to render.