Wayne Steven Edwards

Wayne Steven Edwards, 78, of Sanford, Florida, passed away peacefully on January 7, 2022 after a brief illness. He was born in Oakland, California on September 16, 1943 to parents Melvin and Jaleah Edwards after the family transferred there with Georgia Pacific. As a very young boy Wayne was sent to live with his grandparents in the small rural Upstate New York town of Morristown, where he was raised boating and duck hunting on the mighty St. Lawrence River. After leaving high school and joining the United States Navy at age 17, he was stationed in Sanford where he would later meet and marry the love of his life, Glenda and remain for 61 happy years. The couple had two children, Michael and Steven. Wayne owned and operated his own business, Celeste Industries, Inc., which he founded in 1979, in Sanford and later relocated to Brunswick, Georgia where he fabricated state-of-the art custom cabinetry for private, corporate and head of state jet aircraft. Prior to opening his business, he worked as a Goldsmith, then later was a shop foreman as an employee of Page Avjet in Orlando, FL, who also was a fabricator of custom aircraft cabinetry and interiors. After retirement, he continued to build and create numerous woodworking projects at his in-house woodshop as a hobby business. Wayne was an avid sportsman and would always say the best times of his life were spent with family out fishing and boating on the St. Johns River and with his sons at the family hunting lodge outside of Hazlehurst, Georgia. He was an amazing storyteller and known Grill Master who loved to cook for any event. He was also a huge fan of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt and the University of Georgia Bulldogs. Anyone who knew Wayne was touched by his generosity, kindness, humor and mild temperament. He was truly a peacemaker and was always a source of positivity. In his personal as well as his professional life, he was known for being diligent, organized, conscientious, and a perfectionist. He was a strong, kind, loving and supportive husband and father. His knowledge and guidance was the foundation of his family. Wayne was always present and available for his son’s sporting events, school functions, home projects and for just spending quality time together in general. Some of his fondest memories were made with his boys around the grill, telling stories in front of a good fire at the lodge, in the woods and out on the water. A cross country family RV trip with Glenda’s mother Ruby and sister Patsy was particularly special, and a lifetime of wonderful memories were made. He spent most of his retirement basking in the joy of having his granddaughters Taylor and Haley around him and was extremely proud of all their accomplishments. Wayne is survived by his wife of 58 years, Glenda, sons Michael of Athens, Georgia, Steven and wife April, and granddaughters Taylor and Haley, all of Osteen, Florida. Brother, Chuck, sisters Judy and Sandy, as well as extended family and an abundance of friends. He is predeceased by his parents and brother, Gary. We will all miss him more than words can say and he’ll be Forever Loved & Forever in our Hearts. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in memory of Wayne to: The American Heart Association, 5224 W State Road 46, #403, Sanford, FL 32771; (407) 481-6300 Option 2 The family of Wayne Steven Edwards invites you to leave a message of condolence on the Tribute Wall created in his loving memory.

Wayne Steven Edwards

September 16, 1943 - January 7, 2022