Wayne Preston

Wayne L. Preston passed away peacefully with his family by his side on August 29, 2021, in Phoenix Arizona at the Mayo Clinic. Wayne was born to Howard and Virginia Preston in Waltham, MA in November 1941. They moved to San Francisco, CA so his father could work as a welding apprentice. Even at a young age, Wayne had memories of bomber planes flying past the apartment homes they lived in at the time. In 1945, his father was drafted and his family moved to Maine to live with his grandmother and grandfather while his father served in WWII. When his father returned, they settled on a farm in North Monmouth, Maine. Wayne and his siblings grew up raising chickens and farming. On his 18th birthday he drove to Augusta, ME, registered for the draft and joined the U.S. Army. Wayne served honorably as a Military Policeman from 1960 – 1963. Wayne began his career in the U.S. Border Patrol in Rio Grande City, TX in April of 1965. In September of that same year, he met Rosa Maria Hernandez. When recalling the meeting, he described her as the most beautiful girl he had ever met. Rosa would make Wayne the happiest man alive by becoming his wife in May of 1966. Wayne’s career in the U.S. Border Patrol spanned over 29 years. His distinguished career took him and his family from the Southern Border, to the Northern Border and back again. He reached the pinnacle of his career in 1984 when he was promoted to Chief Patrol Agent of the Swanton, VT sector at only 42 years old. In 1990, looking to retire in a warmer climate, they returned to Yuma, AZ where Wayne served as Chief Patrol Agent until his retirement in 1994 at 52 years old. In total, Wayne’s exemplary career of government service and military service spanned over 32 years. In retirement, Wayne and Rosa loved to hike and travel and just spend time together. Their most favorite thing to do was to celebrate and visit their kids and grandkids. They traveled all over the country and attended countless grandkids activities, games, graduations and awards ceremonies. When they were needed, they were there. No question, they just did for others without asking for anything in return. They spent a majority of their retirement in Puyallup WA and eventually settled in Goodyear, AZ to be near family. Wayne is survived by his loving wife Rosa. In their 27 years of retirement, Wayne and Rosa never spent a day apart. They did everything together and loved each other deeply. He is also survived by their children Wayne (Rocky), Bill (Janalyn) and Cathy (Dan). Their grandkids, Briahna, Dallas, Mya, Landis, Megan and McKenzi, as well as his siblings Sandra, Dennis and Debbie. He is predeceased by his mother Virginia and father Howard. Wayne will be fondly remembered by his family as the most loving husband. “My rock” as his wife Rosa would say. He was the biggest supporter and most proud of his children and grandchildren. He was such a gentle man, with a beautiful genuine laugh, who loved NFL and College Football, to read, go to Starbucks, look at new cars, listen to old country music and rock and roll. He was a man of few words, but when he had something to say, most people benefited when they listened. He was humble to the core. An incredible leader and a great man. But what he is known for most of all by those who knew him best, is how much he loved to love his family. Visitation is Friday, September 17 at 1:00 p.m. at Menke Funeral & Cremation Center, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ 85351 followed by the memorial service at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made in memory of Wayne L. Preston to Mayo Clinic for medical research. Donations can be made online at: https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donatemc and complete the online form. - Under “Designate my gift to...”, please select “Medical Research” from the provided list. - Under “Gift Options” please select “Make this donation a tribute” and indicate the gift is in memory of Wayne L. Preston.