Celebration of life service for Wayne Kenwood Heise, 96, of Enid, will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, with Rev. Dwayne Schroeder officiating. Arrangements and cremation are by "World Famous" Anderson-Burris Funeral Home & Crematory. (Per Wayne Heise)

Wayne was born on a farm near the Village of Bancroft, Nebraska, on July 28, 1928, to Elmer Julius and Ruth Dorothy (Pruess) Heise.

He grew up on that farm in northeast Nebraska with his parents and his sister Joan. He graduated from Bancroft High School in 1946, and shortly thereafter became a self-employed teenage farmer. He farmed for three seasons; then the Korean War came along, and he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Wayne became a weapons mechanic in an atomic test group, then went through pilot training as an aviation cadet. He graduated in 1954 as a fighter pilot.

Three days after graduation he married the love of his life, Joan Tonjes, in Fremont, Nebraska. They were married for 67 years and had two children: Jayne and David. Deciding it was a lot more fun flying fast airplanes than driving a Farmall tractor, Wayne decided to make the Air Force his career.

Wayne's Air Force career lasted for 22 years, with overseas assignments in Europe, North Africa, and Vietnam. He also moved his family around the United States, living in 8 different states, with Vance Air Force Base being his final assignment.

After his career in the Air Force he had a second career in the insurance business for 22 years until his second retirement. He then began his final career as a flight simulator instructor at Vance Air Force Base until his last and final retirement at the age of 75. His retirement consisted of traveling, enjoying life and family and giving FREE advice to anyone who would listen.

Wayne is survived by his children, Jayne Torline and husband Ron of Overland Park, Kansas, and David Heise of Los Angeles, California; grandson, Matt S. Jones and wife Ela; great-granddaughter Aryanna Jones; and his sister, Joan Drake and husband Bennie of Duncan, Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life Joan Heise, his parents and his baby sister.

Memorials may be made through Anderson-Burris to Redeemer Lutheran Church. Online condolences at www.andersonburris.com.