Wayne Osmond, Beloved Member Of The Osmonds, Has Passed Away
Singer and multi-instrumentalist Wayne Osmond died of a stroke on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. The family confirmed the news of his passing in a statement to local Utah news station KSL TV, which read:
“Wayne Osmond, beloved husband and father, passed away peacefully last night surrounded by his loving wife and five children. His legacy of faith, music, love, and laughter has influenced the lives of many people around the world. He would want everyone to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, that families are forever, and that banana splits are the best dessert. We love him and will miss him dearly.”
Wayne Osmond was 73 years old at the time of his death.
Merrill Osmond Pays Tribute To His Brother
Merrill Osmond, the family’s middle child, penned a heartfelt post online after Wayne’s passing.
“When I learned that my dear brother Wayne had a massive stroke my immediate response was to fall to my knees and pray for him to receive the assurance that his mission had been accomplished, and he was successful in this endeavor in many ways.”
He remembers his brother as a “saint” and continues:
“I’ve never known a man that had more humility. A man with absolute[ly] no guile. An individual that was quick to forgive and had the ability to show unconditional love to everyone he ever met.”
Merrill reflects that Wayne’s legacy “will go down as someone who was not only a genius in his ability to write music, but was able to capture the hearts of millions of people and bring them closer to God.”
Read Merrill Osmond’s full post below.
Wayne Osmond’s Life And Legacy
Wayne Osmond, born Melvin Wayne Osmond, was the fourth of nine children in the Osmond family. He, along with his brothers Alan, Merrill, and Jay, started a barbershop quartet in 1958. A few years later, Jay Emerson Williams, the father of Andy Williams, discovered them while performing at Disneyland.
As a result, the brothers landed a recurring role on NBC’s The Andy Williams Show, which lasted for seven years and launched their career as the Osmond Brothers.
Later, the addition of their younger brother, Donny, made them a quintet, and they continued to make music for most of the 1970s under the name The Osmonds. When their musical career began to run its course, the family shifted their focus to television.
Donny & Marie was a successful variety show in the late 1970s. While it focused mainly on the brother/sister duo, Wayne played an integral role as a producer.
Wayne married Kathlyn White in 1974, and the pair welcomed five children.
Our prayers are with this Osmond family during this time.