Wayne Butch James
February 19, 1938 ~ March 4, 2026
Wayne Butch James, age 88, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, at his home in San Rafael, California on Wednesday March 4, 2026.
Wayne was the youngest of 7 children born to Jesse and Sadie James on February 19, 1938 in Duncan, Oklahoma. He and his family moved to the Bay area where he met and married his San Lorenzo high school sweetheart, Janet Arline Randall. Together they moved to Fremont where they raised 3 children, Julie, Scott and Greg and developed a family of friends on Roosevelt Place where you could always find a party in someone’s garage on the weekend.
They enjoyed many camping trips to the Calaveras Big trees, the Redwoods, Yosemite, Russian River and Disney trips.
Wayne enjoyed playing soccer with the Outlaws, playing cards, playing tricks, and was even known to line dance. He was known for his great sense of humor and comments which could make anyone laugh. If there was a whoopee cushion Wayne was the culprit. He could put a smile on your face.
Wayne served his country for over 30 years, serving in the Navy for 20 years as an aviation electrician followed by 10 years in Navy reserves. He worked for the Railroad and the State of California, Caltrans, as a bridge electrician foreman. During this time, he helped keep the Dumbarton, Bay, Golden Gate and San Mateo bridges safe, well-lit and flowing.
On April 25, 1992 Wayne married Rita Joan Ziegler at a beautiful ceremony in the wine country. They enjoyed many years visiting the wineries in Sonoma and the surrounding area with their group of “wine” friends. They travelled extensively including visits to Japan where they attended the Olympics, China where they walked the Great Wall, as well as Europe and many cruises. Maui was their favorite; Wayne was part of the group blowing the conch shell to signify sunset and they spent many beautiful sunsets on the lanai watching the ocean.
Wayne loved older model cars, and he and Joan travelled to car shows with Alison and Joe where he loved to ride, drive or go see old model cars. They enjoyed watching NASCAR and supporting Jeff Gordon. He also enjoyed playing and watching golf in his retirement years.
He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Joan James and his sons, Scott James and Greg James, his grandchildren Kaleigh Riddell, Michael James, Heather Bohlmann, Tiffany Hensley, Tegan James, Rhys James and Kai James and great grandchildren Cameron Riddell, Olivia Riddell, Carter Hensley, Heidi Bohlmann, Cooper Hensley and step daughters Laura Hoon and Alison Stark, and step son Tom Ziegler. He was preceded in his passing by his first wife Janet James and daughter Julie James.
Memorial Services will be held on March 24, 2026 at 11am, at Santa Rosa Memorial Park, 1900 Franklin Ave, Santa Rosa, CA, followed with a military honors burial service. The reception will subsequently be held at the funeral home, Eggen and Lance, 1540 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, CA.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Wayne’s memory to By The Bay Health-Marin or your local chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association.
