Judge Stanley Allen Wade peacefully passed away on August 16, 2018 at his home in Jasper, Alabama after a brief illness with metastatic melanoma. He was 96 years old.
Stanley was born on September 26, 1921 to Roberta Drummond Waid and R. H. Waid, Sr. of Sipsey. Stanley spent his early years as the oldest sibling to two brothers and two sisters. After graduating from Walker County High School, he and his good friend Ralph Sherer enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp, subsequently preparing for the War in Europe. Stanley was trained as an aerial gunner on the B-24. While in the army in 1943, Stanley married the love of his life, Louise Sherer, Ralph’s sister. The two of them celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary earlier this year.
After the war, Stanley and Louise settled in Jasper. Stanley worked at various jobs including Gardner Wholesale, Walker Oil Company, Metropolitan Life lnsurance Company, North Alabama Lumber Company, and Pinecrest Realty. He also acquired his own real estate broker’s license.
After sending his three children to college, Stanley decided to enter politics, running successfully for the Walker County Probate Judge. Stanley stayed in this position of public service until he was forced to retire 18 years later because of term limits (age restriction).
Almost everyone who has lived in Walker County knows of Judge Wade. He lived his life in God’s footsteps, always putting his family and his neighbors before himself. He has been a faithful member of Westside Baptist Church for 75 years, serving as both a deacon and a trustee. He was a proud Kiwanian for over 60 years. The new Kiwanis Park in Jasper has been named in his honor and memory. He was a member of The American Legion Woods-Smith Post 9. He volunteered and worked tirelessly for the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, and the Blood Bank. He served 11 years on the Samford University Board of Trustees. He also supported a number of other charities and organizations. He loved Jasper and the citizens of Walker County and was a mentor to many.
Stanley is predeceased by his parents, his sister Joyce Gilliland, and his brothers R.H. Waid, Jr. and William Douglas Waid.
He is survived by his wife Louise and his three children, Dr. Stanley A. Wade, Jr. (Terry) of Meridian, MS, Dr. John S. Wade (Brenda) of Fresno, CA, and Helen Louise Wade Johnson (Howard) of Fernandina Beach, FL.
He was a loving grandfather to Stanley Allen Wade, lll, Dr. Brian Wade, Jodi Wade, Dr. Andrew Zerbinopoulos, Whitney Saubert, and John “Jack” Brendan Wade.
He is survived by his sister Peggy Davis of Robert Lee, TX.
He was a devoted uncle to Dr. Glenda Gail Sherer, Wayne Broach, Mary East, Peggy Joyce “Jo” Brandler, Jan Verciglio, David Waid, Sherill Davis, Waid Davis, Byron Waid, and Keith Waid.
He was especially close to his friends and caregivers Henry, Jan, and Amy Handley.
Visitation will be Friday, August 17,2018, from 4:30 to 7:00 PM at Collins-Burke Funeral Home, 303 Oak Hill Road, Jasper, Alabama.
Funeral services will be Saturday, August 18, 2018, at 11:00 AM at Westside Baptist Church, 1101 22nd Street W, Jasper, Alabama. Judge Wade was proud to request that the Westside Baptist Board of Deacons serve as his pallbearers.
lnterment is to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, 501 Oak Hill Road, Jasper, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Salvation Army, The Gideons, The American Legion, or your favorite personal charity.
The family of Judge Wade would like to thank those special friends who spent their time visiting him during his final days. He especially loved the visit from the church children and their singing of “Jesus Loves Me”. We would also like to thank Southeast Hospice and the Visiting Angels for their gentle care.
