[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 23, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E210-E211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO WAYNE C. DELL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 2010

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, ``Semper Fi,'' always 
faithful.
  Like the strong foundation upon which this great Capitol has been 
erected, so to is America's foundation created by outstanding American 
citizens who quietly and humbly go about their daily life, devoting 
themselves to their God, Nation, family, friends and life's calling.
  One such individual was Wayne Clair Dell.
  Born in Duncansville, Pennsylvania, to Helen and Charles Dell on June 
29, 1946, Wayne worked with his father during middle school and high 
school in the construction industry.
  Like most Americans, he comes from a very simple family background 
and had two loving and devoted sisters and one brother.
  He attended Penn State University and served this great Nation during 
one of its most trying hours as a Nation, as a United States Marine 
from 1966-69, having been discharged honorably to return home, fall in 
love, and marry Ouida Cleland Dell in Ridgeland, South Carolina, in 
June of 1969.
  Upon leaving the Marines, Wayne went to work in the construction and 
architectural industry on Hilton Head Island, long before anyone had 
ever heard of Hilton Head Island, and began as a draftsman with a firm 
in Savannah, Georgia, eventually taking that great American plunge into 
self-investment and small business by opening his own architectural 
firm out of the Dell homestead: Wayne C. Dell, Architect.
  Working from home allowed Wayne to become very involved in his 
family's life, and he never missed an event in which his children 
participated. For many years, he served as a little league baseball 
announcer and was an avid and excellent tennis player, having won many 
community tournaments--to the great pride of his family, I might add, 
who loved cheering him on! Likewise, Wayne's hobbies were supporting 
his children and family in all their endeavors.
  In addition to these pursuits, he enjoyed woodworking and carving and 
took great pride in the handmade high quality gifts he made for his 
family members, yet another enduring legacy. An active athlete his 
entire life, Wayne also played for many years in the church volleyball 
league, enjoyed playing all sports and staying in top condition; a 
quality that he learned as a Marine.
  Incredibly, Wayne, as many of our forefathers, taught himself a 
profession, architecture, and passed the state licensure exam the last 
time that you could legally take the exam without having a college 
degree; an impressive feat, indeed.
  Wayne eventually became known as a respected architect and 
specialized in high-end residential homes in communities in Hilton Head 
Island and Beaufort County, in addition to commercial architectural 
work. He prided himself on the art of architecture, which, to this day, 
stands as monument to his life's work.
  Wayne had two natural born children, Eric (age 37) and Melissa (age 
39). Possessing a strong desire to spread their love, they adopted 
their daughter's child Bethany, who is now 13 years old, when her 
mother was stricken with Huntington's disease, as did Wayne, and as did 
his mother.
  Wayne and his loving wife of 40 years, Ouida, have cared for their 
daughter, Melissa, who has had to live with them for the past dozen 
years due to her health, quite literally serving as caregiver to her, 
and as proxy father to their daughter's daughter for the past 13 years. 
Wayne represents the perfect American father figure.
  A strong man of Christian faith, Wayne attended and was married in 
St. Pauls United Methodist Church in Ridgeland, SC (1969). He was a 
certified Lay Minister within the United Methodist Church.
  It is a sad calling, as I stand here today, to inform my friends and 
this Nation, that a dear friend, and father of a most trusted friend, 
Wayne C. Dell, passed away yesterday morning.
  But as all architects know, with each great stone that is laid, 
another rests atop it to make the building stand stronger, and Wayne 
can be very proud of the son he raised, my Chief of Staff, Eric Dell of 
the Second Congressional District. In Eric, Wayne raised a son who many 
in both political parties have come to know, love and trust--no easy 
task on Capitol Hill, I know.

[[Page E211]]

  Like his father, Eric is a man of his word, a rare commodity today, 
and a devoted servant of the people whom I represent, as well as this 
great Nation. As with all great champions, the torch must eventually be 
passed. I can assure Eric's father, my friend, that his torch shall be 
strongly, honorably and steadfastly carried forward into the future by 
Eric and his family.
  There is a time in each man's life when the sun must set, and when 
his Creator calls, once again, Wayne has answered that final call, with 
great distinction, honor, and love as his foundation.
  May God bless you, Wayne Clair Dell, and this great Nation which you 
have helped create.
  Semper Fi.
  Always faithful.

                          ____________________