Richard Byron Wait

Richard Byron Wait, age 87, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, February 1, 2021, at Arbor Rose Memory Care, Robinson, IL. He was born on August 20, 1933, at home on S. Steele St. Robinson, IL, to Lance Wait and Helen Knapp Wait, both of whom preceded him in death. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Sheila and Mark Elder of Robinson; 3 grandchildren, Erin and Ryan Heady of Nixa, MO, Andrew and Valerie Elder of Robinson, and Heather and Doug McNary of Robinson; 7 great-grandchildren, Katelyn and Aiden Elder, Haley, Caleb, and Grace McNary, and Sean and Drew Heady; and his brother, Wilfred “Bill” Wait of Robinson. At age 9, Byron started working as a caddy at the Country Club.  He also walked all over town and mowed for people with a steel-wheeled reel-type mower.  He earned his single-shot .22 rifle by selling Cloverine Salve and bought his own school clothes and bicycle. Among the jobs he most talked about was working for Charlie Clark at Clark’s Station during his high school years. He would go to work early and stay late, and when closing, he would lock up and take the day’s money to Charlie on his way home because Charlie trusted him. Then he would take off for Vincennes and spend the evening enjoying his cars and seeing his girlfriend. It was always said that Byron was a sharp dresser! Upon graduating from Robinson High School in 1951, he worked for a carpenter, and though he enjoyed the work, he soon found a job on the railroad. The carpenter encouraged him to better himself by taking the railroad job. Though he felt bad about leaving, he took his advice.  He started as a fireman and worked his way up to brakeman before earning the title of “conductor.” Throughout his years on the railroad, he spent countless hours switching or in the cupola of the caboose. However, his career ended early, when at the age of 50, he froze his hands on the coldest night of 1983. When he wasn’t on the railroad, chances were that he was under the hood or behind the wheel of one of his many beloved automobiles. By all accounts, Byron was very proud of his cars. He bought his first one when he was 14, a 1934 Ford, and from then on, he developed a penchant for buying and restoring old vehicles. Just a few of the cars Byron talked about through the years were his 1934 Ford, 1937 Convertible, and his favorite: his 1950 Ford that he restored to its original condition. This car was one he particularly enjoyed for many years. Though he was a Ford man through and through, later in life, he developed an appreciation for Hondas and owned several. In 1955, he married Vivian Inboden. They lived many years in Robinson, and together, they worked on remodeling their home on Updike St. and on raising their daughter. Though he had wanted a boy, when Sheila was born, she became the light of his world. They spent many precious times together and were known to take rides on his many motorcycles. He often spoke about how he would sneak out of the house and rev up the engine just so she would come running out, yelling, “daddy! daddy!”, jump on the back, and off they would go! Stories such as this gave him so much joy in later years, as he often talked about them or about the many times they spent in the garage putting cars back together from the parts sitting in bushel baskets, teaching Sheila as he went. They spent many an hour in his garage putting cars together. He loved his motors, his speed, and his daughter. When Sheila married Mark, he too became a member of the family immediately.  Byron loved Mark like a son, and when his grandkids and great-grandkids were born, he loved being a grandad and great-grandad as well. The mere thought of them would put a twinkle in his eye, and he spoke of them often. In fact, when Mark and Sheila would visit, he would ask about them without fail. Byron accepted the Lord as his Savior on July 12, 1968, at age 35 at Plymouth Church in Robinson, where he eventually became a deacon.  In his Bible, he wrote, “BORN AGAIN BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS, July 12, 1968.” He loved the Lord with all of his heart and never lost the passion of winning others to Him. After leaving Plymouth, he started attending Robinson Assembly of God and was there until his failing years when he could no longer go to church.  He enjoyed the preaching of H. B. Livengood, and they became good friends for many years. Byron married Mona Coonce in 1982, and they enjoyed their life together with trips to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. He was proud that at the age of 60, he built his own house. It was evident that Byron loved his home and the land where it stood. In fact, living in the country had become a dream come true for Byron, and it afforded him a great sense of joy and satisfaction in his twilight years. His grandson, Andy, spent many days helping him build the house, only to find himself at the Maxwell House eating biscuits and gravy with his grandad (a meal Byron enjoyed every day for 30 years.)  Lunchtime would see them back at the Maxwell House for a cheeseburger and chocolate pie. In fact, they didn’t really spend much time working, but they did enjoy eating, and Byron enjoyed his grandson; whether it was teaching Andy to drive his stick-shift truck or teaching him to shoot guns, they appreciated their time together. When Byron’s new Amish neighbors moved in, he became well-acquainted with them.  He would help them, and they would help him, particularly Marion, who quickly became a good friend.  The two spent quite a bit of time together through the years, as they each enjoyed the other’s company, to the point that Marion became like a grandson to him. He also got close to his four-legged friends. As they do when living in the country, one cat turned into fifteen. After finding homes for all of those, there was one that came and made a home with Byron. Miss Kitty, or “Ole Girl” as he called her, was a constant companion, staying with him as his health began to fade. Later it was discovered that “she” was, in fact, a neutered male, but nonetheless, she was his “Ole Girl”. Towards the end of his life, his memory was failing, and he knew it. It was hard on him, as he had prided himself on having a memory like a steel trap. He would say, “Buddy, you had to have a mind like a steel trap to work on the railroad!” His loved ones heard that daily, and it became his signature line.  When he lost his driving privileges, it took the wind out of his sails. With Mark’s help, Sheila took care of him for many years, but the day eventually came when he could no longer be at home. It was then that he moved to Arbor Rose Memory Care and became a favorite with the nurses.  They enjoyed his smile and his opinions. He didn’t like sitting around being idle, so he kept the kitchen ladies busy talking to them and cleaning tables.  In his worn-out Bible, Sheila found a quote from Benjamin Franklin which reads, “Be civil to all; sociable to many; familiar with few; friend to one; enemy to none.” That pretty well sums it all up for Byron and speaks to how he lived his life.  Also found in his Bible were frequent references to Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you hope in your future.” If Byron could tell you one more thing, it would be to surrender your life to the Lord Jesus and to love Him with all of your heart. This is exactly what Byron did, and because of this, we have the assurance that on Monday morning, Byron awoke to find himself in the arms of his Savior. A time of visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 5th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson, IL. Under Phase 4 Mitigations, public attendance is allowed, but only up to 50 attendees at a time. Thusly, social distancing measures will be in place, and it will be required that all visitors wear face coverings while in the building. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, with Celebrant Curt Goodwine officiating. A live stream of his service can be viewed on Goodwine Funeral Homes' Facebook page or by going to https://www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/live-stream/live-stream . Memorial donations may be made to "Arbor Rose of Robinson", with envelopes available at the funeral home. Byron will be laid to rest in Oak Grove Cemetery.