Ronald Lee Wade

Ronald “Ron” Lee Wade passed away on July 12, 2022, at his Williamsburg, VA home. Ron was devoted to his family and was preceded in death by his cherished wife of 58 years, Rowena “Jill” Wade, and his parents, Albert and Lucille Wade. He is survived by his three children, Karen Wade Smiley (Daniel), Ronda Wade Taylor (Paul) and Wesley Wade; his three grandchildren, Gunther Smiley, Mariah Smiley and Paul Taylor Jr (Lauren); and numerous cousins. Ron was born on March 25, 1935, in Rockbridge Baths, VA. As a young boy, he loved working at his grandfather’s and uncle’s general store and Esso station. He learned to drive well before he was legally allowed and helped his grandfather haul horses for sale back and forth between Virginia and Pennsylvania. He enrolled at Virginia Tech, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, was recognized for his ability to analyze the quality of dairy products and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dairy Science in 1958. The same year he married Jill Edwards in Roanoke, VA. Instead of returning home to run a dairy farm, he went to work for Newport News Shipbuilding in the submarine program. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed at Fort Meade, MD. After serving honorably, Ron embarked on a career in retail management and became an accomplished manager during his 16-year career at W.T. Grant. The opportunity to start a new business arose, and Ron opened a True Value hardware store in partnership with Roger Copenhaver and Pete Sterrett in 1977. Ron and Roger sold their successful business after 42 years. Throughout his career, Ron loved helping and interacting with his customers, especially when it came to talking about his beloved Virginia Tech Hokies. Faith and community service were important to Ron as he was a founding member of Great Bridge Presbyterian Church (Chesapeake), a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church (Hampton), served as a deacon, and was a President’s Club member of Williamsburg Kiwanis. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 19 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg, where services will also take place on Wednesday, July 20 at 11:00 AM. A graveside service will take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 23 at McElwee Chapel, 156 McElwee Road, Rockbridge Baths, VA. A reception will follow at Fairfield United Methodist Church, 5622 N. Lee Hwy, Fairfield, VA. Memorials may take the form of one's choosing. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com for the Wade family.