Anthony Wayne Arrington
February 20, 1924 ~ December 30, 2015
ANTHONY WAYNE ARRINGTON
"I AM SO BLESSED"
John 1:16 "From the fullness of His grace, we have all received one blessing after another"
Anthony Wayne Arrington was born on February 20, 1924 in Prater, VA, on a small farm in the western mountains of Virginia. He was raised by his loving Godly, grandparents following the separation of his parents. The Lord was setting the stage even then for the life that he would lead. He was taught by his grandparents to love the Lord with all his heart. The Lord blessed him with physical strength as well as a yearning to learn and explore. He was on a picnic with his family on a warm December 7, 1941 when his world changed. He immediately answered his call to protect his country by signing up for the US Navy. He began his combat duty in the Atlantic on the USS Texas doing convoy duty. He later served in the Pacific on the USS Sims. He was assigned to transport the scientists into Hiroshima days after the bombing as he piloted the Higgins LCVP into port. His ship later passed the USS Missouri as the peace treaty between the US and Japan was signed. At the end of WWII, he returned home to complete an engineering degree and then joined the US Army with the goal in mind to enter the civil engineering field. He retired as a civilian with the Army Corp of Engineers. Wayne was definitely part of the "Greatest Generation" that loved his country and proudly flew his American flag each day with respect at his home.
Wayne is also known for the love he had for his family. He was a faithful loving husband for 63 years to his wife, Maudie Marie. She made the remark recently that never in all their 63 years did he say an unkind or harsh word to her. His two daughters, Mary Elizabeth and Nancy Rebecca remember a father who would have done anything for them and was always there if they needed him. He continued the legacy of his grandparents as his daughter Nancy lost her 1st husband and she and grandson Matthew moved in with them. Wayne became like a father to Matthew, attending all his baseball games, father son campouts, helping with math problems, etc. Matthew became the son he never had. His daughter Mary Beth blessed him with 3 beautiful granddaughters, Stefanie, Erin and Leigh that Wayne loved, prayed for and spent as much time with as he could. His lineage continues now with 3 amazing great grandsons, Wyatt, Jacob and Phoenix and another great grandchild due in August 2016.
He is also survived by a sister, Betty Moore (GA) and sons in law, Andy Pilalas and Gary Taylor, a grandson by marriage, Shane Ray and granddaughter by marriage, Jessica Hall. He also has many people who consider him and Marie as their "adopted" parents.
Wayne loved his church as well. He and his family began attending McLean Bible Church in 1965 the first day services were held in the little yellow brick building on Balls Hill Road. He served as Treasurer for almost 30 years, as an usher, and teller and basically any need that came up where he could use his gift of service.
Almost every day of his life, Wayne was known to say, "I am so blessed". Wayne, you are the one who blessed each of us who were able to be a part of your life. A funeral service for Wayne will be held at McLean Bible Church, 8925 Leesburg Pike, McLean, VA, on Friday, January 8, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jill's House, McLean, VA
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
"I AM SO BLESSED"
John 1:16 "From the fullness of His grace, we have all received one blessing after another"
Anthony Wayne Arrington was born on February 20, 1924 in Prater, VA, on a small farm in the western mountains of Virginia. He was raised by his loving Godly, grandparents following the separation of his parents. The Lord was setting the stage even then for the life that he would lead. He was taught by his grandparents to love the Lord with all his heart. The Lord blessed him with physical strength as well as a yearning to learn and explore. He was on a picnic with his family on a warm December 7, 1941 when his world changed. He immediately answered his call to protect his country by signing up for the US Navy. He began his combat duty in the Atlantic on the USS Texas doing convoy duty. He later served in the Pacific on the USS Sims. He was assigned to transport the scientists into Hiroshima days after the bombing as he piloted the Higgins LCVP into port. His ship later passed the USS Missouri as the peace treaty between the US and Japan was signed. At the end of WWII, he returned home to complete an engineering degree and then joined the US Army with the goal in mind to enter the civil engineering field. He retired as a civilian with the Army Corp of Engineers. Wayne was definitely part of the "Greatest Generation" that loved his country and proudly flew his American flag each day with respect at his home.
Wayne is also known for the love he had for his family. He was a faithful loving husband for 63 years to his wife, Maudie Marie. She made the remark recently that never in all their 63 years did he say an unkind or harsh word to her. His two daughters, Mary Elizabeth and Nancy Rebecca remember a father who would have done anything for them and was always there if they needed him. He continued the legacy of his grandparents as his daughter Nancy lost her 1st husband and she and grandson Matthew moved in with them. Wayne became like a father to Matthew, attending all his baseball games, father son campouts, helping with math problems, etc. Matthew became the son he never had. His daughter Mary Beth blessed him with 3 beautiful granddaughters, Stefanie, Erin and Leigh that Wayne loved, prayed for and spent as much time with as he could. His lineage continues now with 3 amazing great grandsons, Wyatt, Jacob and Phoenix and another great grandchild due in August 2016.
He is also survived by a sister, Betty Moore (GA) and sons in law, Andy Pilalas and Gary Taylor, a grandson by marriage, Shane Ray and granddaughter by marriage, Jessica Hall. He also has many people who consider him and Marie as their "adopted" parents.
Wayne loved his church as well. He and his family began attending McLean Bible Church in 1965 the first day services were held in the little yellow brick building on Balls Hill Road. He served as Treasurer for almost 30 years, as an usher, and teller and basically any need that came up where he could use his gift of service.
Almost every day of his life, Wayne was known to say, "I am so blessed". Wayne, you are the one who blessed each of us who were able to be a part of your life. A funeral service for Wayne will be held at McLean Bible Church, 8925 Leesburg Pike, McLean, VA, on Friday, January 8, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jill's House, McLean, VA
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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It was such a joy to know Wayne. He has been a great blessing to many people, and he loved our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I thank God for Wayne’s eternal life today! – JOE
I was truly blessed to know Wayne
Thinking of you, Marie, and the family. May the Lord enclose you in His arms of love & comfort. Wayne was such a dear man with big heart. I will always remember his smile and gentle spirit,
Thinking of you, Marie, and the family. May the Lord enclose you in His arms of love & comfort. Wayne was such a dear man with big heart. I will always remember his smile and gentle spirit,
Thinking of you, Marie, and the family. May the Lord enclose you in His arms of love & comfort. Wayne was such a dear man with big heart. I will always remember his smile and gentle spirit,