Emil Wayne Howell, Sr., son of Arthur & Clara (Jones) Howell, was born on March 16, 1918 in Orla, Missouri. He departed this life on Thursday August 30, 2012 at Kabul Nursing Home in Cabool, Missouri, of natural causes. At the time of his passing he was 94 years, 5 months, 15 days of age.

Wayne grew up and attended school in rural Laclede County, and was married to Bettie Margaret Rush on September 20, 1941. Four children were born to this union. Mrs. Howell passed away February 15, 2010.

During the Depression—at age 14, he went to work at Independent Stave Co. in Lebanon, Missouri in 1932, right beside his father to help feed his family. Over the next 25 years, Wayne continued to work his way to General Manager, during this time taking one week's vacation which lasted only three days.

In 1944, he was called to duty in the European Theatre of Operations in World War II serving in a Mech. Ord. unit until his honorable discharge in 1946.

In 1958, he opened Howell Stave Company in Cabool Missouri, and continued to operate it until retiring in 1980.

An extremely avid golfer, he took up the game in 1970, and then, upon retiring in 1980, made it his second career, continuing to play full-time until it became too difficult for him to maintain a bogie round.

He was a member of the Cabool Christian Church, and continued to attend with his wife until his health prevented it.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Lima and Edra; and one brother, Warren.

Wayne is survived by one brother: Howard (of Eldorado Springs, Missouri); four children: Waynette, Wayne, Jr., and Patricia (all of Cabool, Missouri); and, Michael (of Springfield, Missouri); two grandchildren: Matt (of Los Angeles, California) and Monte (of Cabool, Missouri); and four great-grandchildren: Bailey, Emily, Madelyn, and Malayna.