South Paris – William James Wade Sr., 81, of 100 Googin St., Lewiston died Sunday, March 12, at the Maine Veterans’ Home in South Paris.

Bill was born in Lewiston, Aug. 12, 1924, the son of William T. and Theresa M. Ryan Wade. He was educated at Saint Patrick’s elementary school, and graduated from Lewiston High School in the Class of 1942. During his high school years, he was a prominent five sport athlete and was granted a full athletic scholarship to the college of the Holy Cross where he played football and baseball. His talents then led him to play semi-professional baseball for the Berlin Rangers and Lamey Wellehan.

In 1943, he joined the Army Air Corps, and served in the China, Burma and India theater. He was missing in action for 17 days after his plane was shot down over China. For his service to his country, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, The United States Air Medal, and The Medal of Good Conduct. He enjoyed the distinction of membership in the Caterpillar Club, an elite group of servicemen whose parachutes saved their lives.

On May 4, 1946, he married Natalie J. Bartlett. She passed away on Nov. 25, 1992

He was employed by The United States Government as a postal carrier, a job which he loved and from which he retired. He was a member of NARFE, the Letter Carriers Union, American Legion Post 22, the local VFW, and CBI, which is a group of veterans who fought together in the Pacific Rim.

He was also very involved in the local community. He was instrumental in the origination of The St.Vincent D’Paul Society at St. Patrick’s Church. He coached little league, was an avid golfer, and long-time member of Fairlawn Country Club. He also enjoyed gardening. His greatest pleasure in life was the time he surrounded himself with his loving family. He loved Sunday dinner when all his children and grandchildren would gather together. He will be sadly missed, but always remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Although Alzheimer’s robbed him of much of his memory, to the end, he was cognizant of his greatest joy, his family.

He is survived by four daughters, Jane and her husband, Paul Craig, of Lisbon Falls, Jill and her husband, Rick Tonoli, of Lewiston, Judy and her husband, Richard Bird, of Vista, Calif. and Jeri Wade and her husband, David Morgan, of Lewiston; one son, William (BJ) and his wife, Lynda Wade, of Lewiston; grandchildren, Tracie (Vitale) Chicoine of Newton, Mass, Kristen Vitale of Auburn, Kara (Tonoli) Traynor of Greenville, S.C., Caitlin Morgan of Portland, Griffin and Gunnar Wade of Lewiston; and several great-grandchildren; and his favorite family dog, Winston Bird.