Troy Ernest Wade II

Troy E. Wade, II passed away on January 16, 2022, at the age of 87. Troy was born in Cripple Creek, Colorado, the oldest of three children of Troy and Grace Wade. Troy (or Tim as his longtime Colorado friends knew him) grew up in the high Colorado mountains where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Mary Beltz. Together they started their family and ultimately moved to Las Vegas in 1958 where Troy went to work at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) as a mining supervisor for Reynold Electrical and Engineering Company. This started an exceptional career that immersed Troy in nuclear weapons science. From 1961 to 1968 Troy worked for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory assembling nuclear devices for tests at the NTS. In 1969 he went to work for the Atomic Energy Commission, the predecessor of the Department of Energy (DOE). With his natural leadership ability, tenacious focus, and exceptional communication skills, over the next 21 years Troy’s career ascended to positions including Test Controller for nuclear weapons tests, Deputy Manager for the DOE Nevada Operations Office overseeing the NTS, Manager of the DOE Idaho Operations Office overseeing the Idaho National Laboratory, and Assistant Secretary for Defense Programs managing the nation’s nuclear weapons complex. Other career highlights included briefing Presidents Reagan and Bush Sr., and working with diverse members of Congress. Upon Troy’s retirement in 1989, President Bush acknowledged his substantial service to the people of the United States. In the decades that followed his retirement from federal service, he continued to contribute to national security consulting with federal agencies, states, and corporations. Due to his deep appreciation of the value of the NTS, Troy and several other former test site managers established the National Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas. Other passions and hobbies included barbershop harmony singing, golf, riding on steam and diesel locomotives, and ‘puttering’ on home improvement projects in his garage.

Troy is survived by his brother Bill Wade (and spouse Karen), children Sherri McKenzie, Terry Wade, and Scott Wade (and spouse Stacy), plus five grandchildren: Joshua McKenzie, Marc McKenzie, Megan Barnett (and spouse Sam), Travis Wade, and Justin Wade; and four great grandchildren: Zachary McKenzie, Leiah Barnett, Lily Barnett, and Ambrose Barnett.

Friends are invited to a service and celebration of his life on Saturday February 19, 2022, at 2:00 pm at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern, Las Vegas, Nevada.