Wayne E. Mugford

BARRE TOWN - Wayne Elmer Mugford, 90, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, October 2, 2025.

Born in East Corinth on February 13, 1935, he spent most of his youth in East Montpelier, Vermont. He attended Spaulding High School, where he excelled at football. He graduated in 1953, and that same year, he enlisted in the Army and served in Japan and Korea. While deployed, he had the opportunity to try out and play football for the Army team stationed in Japan, earning honors for his skill on the field.

Upon returning home from his time in service, he, his father Elmer, and his brother Waldo started M+W Custom Polishing, a company in our local granite industry where he remained until he retired.

Around the same time Wayne returned home from Korea, he began courting the love of his life, Lida Payne. They were married on October 5, 1957. They loved life together—dancing, enjoying the beauty of Vermont and all its seasons, and raising their four children. He became an active member of the First Baptist Church in Barre, now known as Enough Ministries, instilling the importance of Jesus Christ in all of his children.

Wayne was an avid outdoorsman. He loved nature, whether fishing for brook trout, rabbit hunting with his beagles, turkey hunting, or heading to deer camp. He also coached his boys and grandsons in football and enjoyed swimming and waterskiing. He was happy to share all his knowledge with his sons, daughters, and grandchildren.

When he wasn’t being a sportsman, he was happy to watch a beautiful sunset with his family, tend to his garden, sit by a crackling bonfire sharing stories, or watch his grandchildren catch fish off the dock. He loved singing little tunes that brought smiles to everyone’s faces and enjoyed being surrounded by his big family.

Wayne is survived by his daughters Marna Getz and her husband Charles, Colleen Carrier and her husband Todd, and son Craig Mugford and his wife Sue, 10 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren as well as his beloved little sister, Donna Taylor.

He was predeceased by his parents Elmer and Pearl, brothers Waldo and Don, nephew Don Mugford, Jr., beloved wife Lida, and their son Todd.

Family and friends may call on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Hooker Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre. The service to honor Wayne’s life will be held on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Enough Ministries, 24 Washington Street, Barre. Following the service, interment will take place in Hope Cemetery in Barre.

Memorial contributions in Wayne’s name may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/