The peace of the earth be with you,

The peace of the heavens too.

The peace of the rivers be with you,

The peace of the oceans too.

Deep peace falling over you,

God's peace growing in you...



Wayne William Soper, aged 43, died at his home on October 2nd, 2004, after a courageous battle with colon cancer. His family is very proud of the strength and dignity Wayne showed throughout his illness: he rarely complained, always had a smile for everyone, and endured his treatments and operations in order to spend another day with his wife and son, or enjoy another fishing trip with the boys. He will be remebered as a kind and fun-loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend - as well as the caretaker of several kitties and his beloved dog Lucy.



A native of Walla Walla, Wayne attended Whitman College for two years before transferring to Western Washington State University, where he received his bachelor's degree in geology in 1988. In 2000, he also completed a master's degree in business at Washington State University, Tri-Cities. He worked for ten years as a hydro-geologist for the Washington State Department of Ecology's Nuclear Waste Program. Wayne's avocations were equally important to him. A one time commercial fisherman in Alaska, he became a fly fishing enthusiast, who made his own rods and tied his own flies. He was an accomplished downhill skier, a helpful handyman, and an avid reader of mysteries as well.



Wayne is survived by his wife, Laura Soper; his son, Grayson Soper; his parents, William and Edna Soper; his sisters, Virginia Tollenaere and Lynne Vieth; his brothers-in-law, Homer Tollenaere and Richard Vieth; and his nephews, Lawrence Tollenaere and Brian Vieth. The whole family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses who took such good care of Wayne. A memorial service will be held at the Mountain View Funeral Chapel in Walla Walla on October 15th, 2004, at 3:00 p.m. In Lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Graysen W. Soper's College Fund at any branch of Bank of the West.