Billy Mack Wade

Billy Mack Wade transitioned to his heavenly home on July 18, 2022 at the age of 86 years.

Billy was born on May 16, 1936, to the union of Albert and Zella (Sheppard) Wade in Jackson, MO.  He attended Lincoln grade school in Jackson, MO and was a graduate of Jackson Senior High School where he was well known for his outstanding athletic abilities, excelling in track, football, and basketball.  He was the first African American youth to play on the Jackson High School football team.

On October 9, 1955, Billy and Joyce Virginia Ellis were united in holy matrimony.  To their union were born three children:  Keith, Jozella and Regina.  He was a devoted family man.

Billy held several jobs; employed with Davis Electric, Dow Chemical and Procter & Gamble from which he retired after 24 years of service.  In addition to his athletic talents, BBQ’ing skills and love of sharp automobiles, Billy took pride in maintaining a well-manicured and beautiful lawn until his health prevented him from doing so.  No matter the season after a day of washing & detailing the family car or manicuring his lawn, that evening & well into nightfall, he could be found sitting under his carport, resting with an ice-cold Pepsi in hand.

Billy held membership at St. John’s AME Church-Jackson until its closing.  June, 2022 he recommitted his life to Christ and joined Greater Dimension Ministries under the leadership of Pastor William Bird, Jr.

Leaving to mourn his passing are his wife of 66+ years, Joyce V. Wade of Cape Girardeau; son Keith Wade of St. Louis, MO; daughters Jozella (Sam) Adams and Regina McElmurry of Cape Girardeau; daughter in-law Ella Wade of St. Louis; grandchildren Kimyatta (Shawn) Gibson, of Pinson, AL; Tonisha (Laventral) Robinson of Cape Girardeau; Marcus Wade of St. Louis; Tiffany Wade of St. Louis, Cara McElmurry of Cape Girardeau; and Thomas McElmurry of Los Angeles, CA; great-grandchildren Hannah & Olivia Gibson and Beau McElmurry; 4 sister in-laws, 1 brother in-law and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, 5 brothers, 3 sisters and one son in law.

He will truly be missed for his devotion and dedication to all those he loved.

Friends may call Saturday, July 30, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. until the funeral hour of 12:00 noon at Greater Dimension Ministries in Cape Girardeau, Missouri with Pastor William Bird, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery with the Williams Funeral Home of Charleston, Missouri in charge of arrangements.