Wayne James Young

Wayne James Young, 75 of La Crosse, passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse. He was born in La Crosse to William and June (Peterson) Young on October 1, 1948, and graduated from Logan High School.

Following his graduation, he entered the US Army and went to Fort Leonard Wood, MO for training and then to Fort Steward, GA (where he learned to pick up pinecones). Wayne served in Busan, Korea and Chu Chi, South Vietnam until he received his honorable discharge. After his return to La Crosse, Wayne was able to use the benefit of the GI bill to go to school at Western Technical College for welding and two years for carpentry. He then got a job assignment through Carpenter’s Union 1043, then on to work for G. Heileman’s Brewing Company where he was elected Vice President of Brewing Local Union 1081.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, William and June, stepfather, Gerald McNeill; brother, William Young, Jr., stepbrothers, Jerry and Rex McNeill, sister-in-law, Barbara Young and brother-in-law, Patrick Volden.

He is survived by his brothers and sisters, Michael (Lee) Young, Vicky (Wayde) Anger, Patti (Jim) Weir, Diane (Rich) Czechowicz, Peter McNeill and Barbara (Bill) Volden along with many nieces and nephews.