Philip Wayman

Philip Bitter Wayman February 28, 1956 -August 2, 2023.

Philip Bitter Wayman, 67, passed away peacefully on August 2, 2023 in Koshkonong, Missouri, after many years of challenging health. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 28, 1956 to Vern Kermit Wayman and Ruth Bitter Wayman as the fifth of nine children.

As a busy, young child, he enjoyed playing banker and store keeper with his brothers and sisters. He was, by nature, a mischief-maker, loved playing jokes on people, and had a love for fire and fireworks until his dying day.

He graduated from South High School in 1974. He served a rewarding mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Shreveport, Louisiana. Later, he received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from the University of Utah.

Fulfilling his greatest wish, he was married on his birthday, February 28th, 1981, to his beautiful sweetheart, Diana Mae Houston, in the Salt Lake Temple. Together, they spent 42 wonderful years in Utah raising their five children, and spoiling their 21 grandchildren.

Philip was an entrepreneur at heart and worked all his life as a businessman. In his early adult years he, with his brother Ronald, co-owned Printin' Time Printers, and Storyline, a children's story hotline. Philip also provided Time and Temperature, a free hotline service, before the advent of cell phones. He had many creative business ideas and found joy in starting up new businesses. In his last years, he enjoyed driving for uber/lyft, making quick friendships with the people he met.

He was mesmerized by all things electronic. He kept up with the latest technology, so much that his office was a museum full of brick cell phones, fax machines, and computers. However, his multi-tasking was no joke. He'd often have several phones in his pockets, a phone on each ear at the same time, and working on two or three computers in his office.

To us as kids, we knew he was saving the world, no doubt.

As his children grew up, their superman found a new love: his grandkids. Philip adored his grandkids. He marveled frequently at the extreme joy that being a grandpa brought to him. He loved playing games with them, teaching them, and sharing ice cream and popcorn with them. He loved watching his grandkids play and supported them in their sports and various activities. His family was his most cherished accomplishment.

Philip was fascinated by airplanes and dreamed of being a pilot, taking several flight lessons with his son. He often took his young kids to the airport parking lot to watch the planes take off and land. He enjoyed spending time with his kids, and often found joy in teasing them; from popping their toes, to singing the worst wake up song this world has ever heard.

Dad always found ways to connect with and show love to his kids. Dad's sense of humor carried through to the end; even when he couldn't remember where he was, he still remembered how to laugh and how to make us laugh.

"Look at the moon!" we'd often hear him say. One of Philip's favorite pastimes was to explore the wonders of the moon. He would go out of his way to make sure the whole family knew when there was a gorgeous moon. Dad passed away on the morning of the full super moon. We like to believe it was the first place he visited on his new adventure.

Philip loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Philip was an Eagle Scout, and served a two year mission. He served his church in many ways, from working on church websites, to teaching classes. He faithfully served in several leadership positions, and through his involvement, made many lifelong friends.

In his last months, Philip and Diana, tearfully and adventurously, retired to Missouri to build a home on their daughter's land. Philip suffered from a medical condition similar to, if not Lewy Body Dementia. His memories were hazy, but he still managed to remember his kids and tell us how much he loved us. As Philip declined, it was especially romantic to see the grin on his face and the twinkle in his eyes when Diana walked in the room. He seemed to fall in love with her all over again, like it was the first time they met. Although these last few months were difficult, they will be some of the most cherished memories we have of him until we meet again.

We love you, dad. See ya later alligator.

Philip is survived by his wife, Diana; children Angela (Tyler) Merrill, Brian (Brittney) Wayman, Melinda (Bryan) Cutliff, Denise (Aaron) Scholes, and Kristin (Chad) Taylor; Twenty-one grandchildren: Alyza, Tytus, Xander, Izabela, Kayla, Jagger, Jayden, Jamie, Hannah, McKenza, Abryn, Kiara, Arianna, Omari, Adalyine, Luke, John, Rose, Bailey, Charlee, and Daylen.

Surviving siblings: Trena Young, Verna (Scott) Barclay, Paul (Linda) Wayman, Ronald (Janette) Wayman, Sara (Kerry) Feil, (David Richardson), Kathie (Brent) Warnock.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Vern and Ruth Wayman, sisters, Deborah Wayman, and Bonnie Richardson, and brother-in-law Roger Young.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, August 11, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at the Peachwood Ward, 3963 S. Peachwood Drive. Viewings will be held, Thursday, August 10, 2023, 6-8:00 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Drive and again Friday August 11, 10-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the funeral service.

Interment, Redwood Memorial Estates 6500 South Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Utah.