Our History
It was in 1888 that Arthur Waite moved to New Wortley, Leeds as a ‘Carpenter and Undertaker’ starting the family involvement in Funeral Directing and the name A. Waite & Son.
Following his death in 1923, after 35 years of service, his wife, Hannah, took over the business with their son Joseph Austin Waite. In 1932 Joseph Austin took over the business and moved to our present Hall Lane location.
In 1935 his son, Leonard Waite, joined the business and took over in 1959. Joseph Austin Waite died in 1965.
There has been much change since 1959.
Leonard was joined by his son, Andrew Waite, in 1973 making a fourth-generation involvement in A. Waite & Son Funeral Service.
The arrival of Andrew’s daughter, Alison Waite, into the business in 2000 and her involvement in it gives not only a fifth-generation connection but defines our continuing commitment and service to the public.
Active in all areas of the Funeral Service Leonard Waite was elected National President of NAFD 1976/77 and Andrew Waite was elected National President 1988/89.
A unique honour for father and son and an indication of their commitment and standing in Funeral Service.
Newspaper Advert 1925
Throughout the years many new ideas and services have been accepted and put into place to the benefit of our clients and the business itself. To this end our workshop, office and premises were completely re-designed and re-built in Hall Lane in 1975 and has just undergone basic refurbishment which ensures facilities of the highest standard to complement our high standard of service and care.
Andrew Waite who was a qualified Member of the British Institute of Embalmers, Member of the British Institute of Funeral Directors and holder of the Diploma in Funeral Directing sadly died in January 2008.
His daughter Alison is now responsible for the arranging and conducting of funerals and the running of A. Waite & Son, with the help of her mum and Andrew’s wife, Susan Waite and are both proud to be keeping A. Waite & Son one of the few truly independent, family owned and run Funeral Services where ownership and responsibility is open and can be seen for the benefit of the families and individuals we continue to serve.
Original premises 1932 – 1975
Aerial view of Tong Road in Armley 1963
Andrew Waite (Centre) with family