WAYNE M. "SKIP" PERSINGER

Wayne "Skip" M. Persinger passed away on June 28, 2014. His last hours were spent with his loving wife and best friend, Vicki. He lived in Kennewick, WA for 68 years. He was born on December 1, 1945.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents Jeannett & Everett Persinger and his sister Wanda Higley.

He is survived by his wife Vicki Persinger of 44 years two sons, Marc and Mike, two step-daughters, Kathy Akerblade and Kristi Nash, and Brother Bill Persinger, also by then 10 wonderful grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

He graduated from Kennewick High School in 1964. He worked for his father at the Shell gas station at 10th and Washington. He joined the National Guards, had many "fun" weekends at Yakima Firing Range. He raced stockcars (#60) at the Tri-City Race Track and other race tracks throughout Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

He and Bill Clarkson started "S&B" Machine in 1971 and built the building at N. Washington and Bruno. They decided they wanted to go into Auto Parts warehousing. They built a three store/story building contacted to "S&B". They named it Engine Parts Warehouse.

Also with many friends we built a 40 foot steel boat (Steel One) in the basement of Engine Parts Warehouse. It was only 18 feet wide because that was as wide as the basement doors. He sold "Steel One" and decided after a few years he wanted a bigger boat.

His brother Bill designed the 60 foot boat. He and his wife, Karen and their children came over form Sedro Wooly many many weekends to supervise and work on "Our Dream". Without the help of many friends it wouldn't have been possible to launch the 60 foot alumni boat. They also helped build the boat house at Clover Island Yacht Club. Thank you all. He was also a member of C.I.Y.C.

He loved to work with wood. He built many kitchen cabinets, dressers, hope chests, curio cabinets, bookcases, sleigh beds, beds with drawers on the bottom, water falls, jewelry boxes, doll houses, bird houses, candy machines, holiday decorations, plant stands, and the cabinets in "Papa's Shop"

If you know Skip and Vicki then you know all of the grandchildren were there pride and joy. They created many happy times working in "Papa's Shop". We had special memories -- Disneyland (Grrr-water ride), Maui (remember the guy in the Speedo) and Seaside, OR (broken, broken, bird poop).

We will all miss our best Grandpa (Papa) and friend. Thank you, friends, for helping us throughout the years on many projects and just being there for us. As our grandchildren would say..."Papa, you're the BEST!"

A Memorial Services will be held at Clover Island Yacht Club, August 3, 2014 at 1:00 p.m.