Willard Wade

Willard Gene Wade, 87, husband of Barbara Hunt Wade, passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2014. Born September 30, 1927 in Taylors, SC, he was the son of the late William Lewis Wade and Olivia Stegall Wade. Mr. Wade graduated from Furman University with a BS in Economics and received an additional banking degree from Indiana University. He served his country in the U. S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War. The Wade family moved to Spartanburg in 1967 where Mr. Wade served for many years as the president of Piedmont Federal Savings and Loan. He later became a senior executive with First Federal Savings and Loan of South Carolina, and regional president of BB&T. Mr. Wade was devoted to the Spartanburg community, serving as president of the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, The Salvation Army, The Carolina Country Club, and held leadership roles in various other community organizations. In 1971, Mr. Wade received South Carolina's highest civilian honor, The Order of the Palmetto. He was active in Mobile Meals, the Lions Club, and Men's Bible Study. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Greenville and previously of First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg. He enjoyed golf, travel, and time with his family. In addition to his beloved wife of 60 years, Barbara, he is survived by a daughter, Ryan Wade Williams (Timothy); a son, Gregory Hunt Wade (Mary Helen Dunn); seven grandchildren, Hudson Williams (Emily), Candace Williams Bruce (Myers), Preston Williams, Marshall Wade, Emily Wade, Sarah Wade, Ashley Hunt Wade; and two great-grandchildren, Willard Jack Williams and Hazel Williams. Visitation will be 1:30-2:45 PM Friday, December 19, 2014, at Roebuck Baptist Church, 1979 E. Blackstock Rd., Roebuck, SC 29376. A memorial service will follow at 3:00 PM, at the church, conducted by the Rev. Tim Williams. A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday, December 21, 2014, at The Cascades Verdae Retirement Village, 10 Fountainview Terrace, Greenville, SC 29607. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mobile Meals Service, PO Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Willard Gene Wade please visit our Sympathy Store.