Wayne Moser Sayre II

Sayre, Wayne

Pinckney, MI

Wayne Moser Sayre II, 73, passed away January 20, 2026. He was born on September 17, 1952, in Billings, Montana, to Robert Wayne Sayre and Sybil "Virginia" (Stover) Sayre, who preceded him in death. His family moved to Colorado and then to Michigan in 1963. He graduated from Bentley High School (Class of 1970) in Livonia, where he made many friends who he kept in touch with over the years.

Wayne will be remembered as a man who loved life. Always quick to start a conversation with anyone who knew him or didn't, Wayne was happy talking philosophy over a cold Miller beer or waxing poetic while hugging a sharp curve in his '73 Corvette. Often the life of any party, his Gumby-esque dance moves were legendary-but so was his work ethic.

He was a skilled tradesman at General Motors for more than 45 years, working as a tool and dye journeyman. Wayne was the guy who could fix or make anything and did so with machine-like precision and always with an eye for the details. Those skills came in handy at work and at home.

Wayne could design and make vehicle parts from scratch, and he put the same amount of work into making those parts as he did into helping his grandson and godson build winning Pinewood Derby cars. He could often be found tinkering in his garage, with music blasting, working on one of his own projects or helping a friend with theirs.

He had an impressive collection of cars and motorcycles over the years, including an Austin-Healey 3000, Triumph Spitfire, Elva Mach 7, Z28 Camaro, Ducati F1750, and a Solstice GXP, to name a few. Wayne also owned a Norton Cafe Racer motorcycle, which he built from scratch using spare parts he found and purchased. That bike ended up on the cover of the Norton Owners Club UK Magazine and featured in their calendar. He was a longtime member of the Michigan Norton Owners Association, having made lifelong friends who shared his love of English motorcycles and travel.

He shared many adventures with his wife, Cathy, whom he met in high school and was married to for 51 years. Together, they traveled to several states in their RV and on their motorcycles, including one epic two-week trip out west on a Kawasaki Concours to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. They retired in 2016 and 2017 to their lake house in Pinckney, where Wayne often enjoyed fishing and sipping on Cathy's old fashioneds while catching the sunset.

Wayne was one of a kind. A great friend, a loving father, a devoted husband, and someone who, if you ever crossed his path, he'd consider you a friend. He will be missed by many who are now comforted by the memories of a man who sought joy and fun whenever he could.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Catherine (Beck) Sayre; his children, Amy (Michael) Royce and Nicole Sayre; grandchildren, Jared, Jordan, Timothy, and Joseph; sister, Roberta (George) Schomberger; nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and too many friends to name.

Wayne's family and close friends will gather privately at his graveside in Tyrone Township on Thursday, January 22. This summer, they'll have a larger celebration of Wayne's life the only way he would have wanted-by having a big old party at the lake house. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer's Association to support the important work they do. You can leave a message of comfort for Wayne's family at 1-877-231-7900, or sign his guestbook at www.borekjennings.com.