C. ERWIN WAITE

Cecil Erwin Waite

Cecil “Erwin” Waite, 92, passed away Monday, August 13, at Hoffmann Hospice Home Care due to pneumonia and complications related to bone-marrow cancer.
Erwin was born July 8, 1926, in Bunkerville, Nevada to Jesse LeRoy and Martha Lucina Waite. In high school, Erwin excelled in several sports. He earned 11 varsity letters and broke several records which remain unbeaten to this day. As WWII was still raging in the South Pacific, In January, 1945 Erwin entered the Navy and as an 18-year-old, held rank over men twice his age. On June 26, 1946 he received an honorable discharge. He had many faith-promoting experiences while serving, which would serve as a guide for him throughout his life. Following the war, he married Colleen Hughes on August 18, 1948 in the LDS Salt Lake temple.
In 1951 they moved to Bakersfield, CA as Erwin received a position as Vice Principal and 8th grade P.E. teacher at Sunset School in Lamont, this was then followed by the same position for seven years at Lerdo School. In September, 1962 Erwin became Superintendent at Norris School District, where he remained until his retirement in 1984.
As a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Erwin held many leadership positions in the church: 5th Ward Bishop for 8 years, a member of the stake high council, President of the Bakersfield Stake, Stake Patriarch, Church Ambassador (missionary) to Sierra Leone, President of the Michigan Lansing Mission, and an ordinance worker and sealer for over 20 years in the LDS Los Angeles Temple. These callings were without monetary compensation, but rather spiritual blessings which were manifested through his life-long service to others.
Erwin is survived by his wife, Colleen, and their four children, Greg (Liz), Bonnie (Don) Phillips, Debbie (Richard) Riggs, Jim (Lisa) and 25 grandchildren, 53 great-grand children and one soon-to-be great-great grandchild.
Viewing will be Monday, August 20 at 9 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 5600 Panorama Dr, Bakersfield, CA. Funeral services will be held following at 10 a.m. Internment will be that afternoon at Bakersfield National Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hoffmann Hospice. www.hoffmannhospice.org.