Wayne Osmond, a founding member of The Osmonds singing group, died January 1, 2025 in Salt Lake City as a result of a stroke at the age of 73, less than three weeks after celebrating his 50th wedding anniversary.
Brother Merrill spoke on Wayne via Facebook saying, “I’ve never known a man that had more humility. A man with absolutely no guile. An individual that was quick to forgive and had the ability to show unconditional love to everyone he ever met.”
He was born Melvin Wayne Osmond in Ogden, Utah on August 28, 1951, the fourth of nine children.
In the 1950’s Wayne, Alan, Merrill, and Jay formed The Osmonds – a barbershop quartet. Later a very young Donny joined the group. During the ‘60’s, the boys were frequent guest on “The Andy Williams Show”. They were often compared to the Jackson 5.
Their popularity began to fade in the ‘70’s but in the ‘80’s, Wayne, Alan, and Merrill regrouped to form a Country music trio that saw some moderate success.
A brain tumor resulted in a hearing loss and later a stroke took his ability to play the guitar.
Osmond noted, “I’ve had a wonderful life. And you know, being able to hear is not all that it’s cracked up to be, it really isn’t. My favorite thing now is to take care of my yard. I turn my hearing aids off, deaf as a doorknob, tune everything out, it’s really joyful.”
Osmond is survived by his wife of 50 years Kathlyn, children – Amy, Steven, Gregory, Sarah, and Michele -, siblings, and grandchildren.