Wayne Osmond
C. Brandon/Redferns/Getty ImagesDonnie and Marie Osmondbrother Wayne Osmond He died at the age of 73.
Brother of singers Meryl Osmond We shared the news of Wayne's death In a post on Facebook On Thursday, January 2nd. Wayne died a day ago in Salt Lake City after suffering a massive stroke, a social media post said.
“My brother was a saint before he came into this world, and he will leave an even greater saint than he came,” Merrill continued in his post. “I never knew a man who was more humble. A man of absolute (sic) no guile. An individual who was quick to forgive and had the ability to show unconditional love to everyone he met.”
He added: “His departure from this earth will be a sad moment for some, but for those waiting for him on the other side, there will be a massive celebration beyond anything we can imagine.”
The Osmonds. From left to right (back) Meryl, Donnie, Mary and Jay, (front) Alan, Jimmy and Wayne in London, England in the 1970s.
Tony Russell/Redferns/Getty ImagesMerrill, 71, wrote that Wayne “endured a lot” during his life.
“He gave it his all. His legacy will go down as someone who was not only a genius in his ability to write music, but who was able to capture the hearts of millions of people and bring them closer to God,” Merrill added. “I will miss him terribly. I am so grateful to have grown up with one of Heavenly Father's greatest children. Until I see him again, know that he was loved.
A handful of families have produced numerous music stars, building a legacy of intergenerational talent that reaches far beyond what most solo artists could hope for — but along the way, many of these families have faced controversy, tragedy, and chaos. The Jackson family, for example, which has been called “the royal family of pop music”, has had more than a dozen hits (…)
Wayne was a member of The Osmonds alongside Donnie, 67, Meryl and two of their other brothers, now and Jay. (Also includes the Osmond family Mr., Tom, Mary and Jimmy.)
A statement issued by the Osmond family on Thursday said that Wayne died on Wednesday, January 1, surrounded by his wife, Kathleen WhiteAnd their five children.
“His legacy of faith, music, love and laughter touched the lives of so many people around the world,” the statement continued. “He wants everyone to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, that families are forever, and that banana splits are the best candy. We love him and will miss him terribly.”
Wayne reached the peak of his fame in the 1970s while performing alongside his brothers. He moved from his native Utah to Missouri in the 1990s and has struggled with numerous health issues over the years. Wayne was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1997, which severely affected his hearing. Before his death, he also suffered a stroke in 2012. Wayne's last appearance with the rest of the Osmond family was in 2018.
