Wayne E. Newton was born on May 7, 1919, in Vigo County. Wayne was the son of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Newton, and was also had two brothers, Roy and William, and a sister, Mable.

He attended Warren and Fairview Grade Schools, and in January, 1934, entered Gerstmeyer Technical High School. He is remembered for his good scholastic record and as an athlete, having played both center and end on the Gerstmeyer football team. He was an interested and active member of the Eighth Avenue Baptist Church.

After graduation from high school he enlisted in the Navy on April 12, 1938, and was immediately sent to Great Lakes Naval Training Center where he received his basic training. After completing basic training he was assigned to sea duty. His last visit to Terre Haute was on Nov. 11, 1941, when he returned to the city on leave. Wayne served aboard the Tennessee-class battleship USS California (BB-44) which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. On Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese carrier-based aircraft launched a surprise attack on the U.S. Navy base and ships at Pearl Harbor. In the early minutes of the attack, the USS California was hit by two torpedoes, which pierced the ship's port side, and a bomb, which struck the ship's upper deck. The ship sustained significant damage during the attack and roughly 100 sailors and Marines were lost during the incident, Newton among them.

On September 5, 2025, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency identified the remains of U.S. Navy Seaman 1st Class Wayne Edward Newton, missing from World War II.

S1c Wayne Edward Newton will be laid to rest on Saturday May 16, 2025 at 11:00 am in Grandview Cemetery with full military honors.