Walter Wade left this earthly life on January 3, 2023. He was 81 years old. He was affectionately known by all that loved him as "Papa Wade."

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 8, 2023, beginning at 2:00 p.m. from Bible Baptist Church in Camden, Alabama with Brother Tommy Primm officiating and Dunklin Funeral Home directing.  Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time.

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from indomitable will."  -Gandhi

Walter Flemming Wade, Jr. was born in Maryville, Louisiana to Walter and Annie Wade on February 23, 1941. He was raised in Louisiana and eventually moved to Camden where he met and married, Dagmar Mims Wade.

Papa Wade worked as a mechanic, crane operator, dredge operator, and supervised many dredge operations. While living in Camden he also owned Snow Hill Grocery, worked at Lambert Feed & Seed and did home improvement work. In his spare time he enjoyed restoring antique vehicles and cruising around Camden with his buddies.

Papa Wade was blessed with 8 children, 19 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Papa Wade had many struggles in his life that made him the strongest person we have ever known. His biggest struggle resulted in him being paralyzed for the last 10 years.

Papa Wade was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Flemming Wade, Sr. and Annie Violet Inez Rodriguez Wade; a brother, Wilmer Wade, Sr.; a sister, Darlene Wade Curry; a son, Phillip Wade; and a grandson, Jeremy Dwain Mims.

He is survived by his siblings, Marie Meades, Lonnie Wade, Larry Rodriquez, Jimmy Wade, Betty Templet, Judy Aime, Joseph Wade and Audrey Wade; his children, Jeanette Ange (Charlie), Walter Wade, III (Danielle), Annie and Loretta Wade, Tommy Mims (Michelle) Walter Mims (Tiffany) and Lisa Johnson (Ron); and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.