Ellis Wayne Wassan

A gathering of friends and family will be held for Ellis Wayne Wassan, 83, of West Monroe, Louisiana, from 10:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M., Tuesday, September 24, 2024, in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home, West Monroe. A private family service will follow at Hasley Memorial Pavilion with Rev. James Gardner officiating.

Ellis Wayne Wassan was born November 25, 1940, in West Monroe, Louisiana, and passed from this life on September 20, 2024, at the age of 83, in West Monroe, Louisiana.

Wayne served in the U.S. Air Force stationed in Little Rock, Arkansas during his time in the military he specialized in electrical bomb navigation and radar technician. After accepting a career path with Eastman Kodak as a Clinical Field Engineer, he spent the next thirty-two years servicing clinical equipment in hospitals and medical facilities throughout the region. He made many friends along the way and everyone who met him was greeted with his kindness and his contagious smile. 

After retiring in 2006, Wayne enjoyed spending time with his family and making many trips to Big Cedar Lodge in Branson, Missouri. His love for the outdoors, hunting, and fishing was passed down to his son and grandson. They enjoyed spending time target shooting at the OPSO Rifle Range. His love for gardening and his green thumb was shared with his daughter. He also had a passion for bird watching and cameras that he shared with his daughter-in-law. 

Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, Ellis & Verdie Wassan, Sister Mildred Wassan, Uncle Claude Laird and precious Great-Grandson, Clyde Wayne Thomas.

Left to cherish his memory is the love of his life and wife of fifty-seven years, J. Dianne Wassan; Son and Daughter-In-Law, Jason and Kimberly Wassan; Daughter and Son-In-Law, Jennifer and Scott Gates. Wayne and Dianne were known as "Pappy and MiDi" to their grands. Grandson, Lance Andrew Gates and wife, Ashley; granddaughters, Madeleine Wassan Thomas and husband, Jonathan, Amelia Faith Wassan, and Jenna Dianne Gates; and great-grandson, River Scott Gates.

Wayne was a kind and gentle man, easy to love and a friend to so many. We love you Pappy and miss you already. But we know God's great promises are true and we will see you again. "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

We would like to thank the staff at St. Francis Medical Center, Ridge Crest Rehab Facility plus many Physicians and Staff over the years.

Memorials can be made to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, McClendon Baptist Church of West Monroe, or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.