1925
Neale
2014
Neale Wade
July 4, 1925 — November 10, 2014
Neale Dixon Wade lived an extraordinary life. He was born on the 4th of July in 1925, the second of six children, to Max and Sarah Wade of Moundville, Wisconsin. He was raised on a dairy farm and had a natural inclination for mechanics. Neale enlisted in the Navy Seabees after Pearl Harbor and served in the Pacific theater where he was able to demonstrate a vast understanding and familiarity with all things mechanical.
After the war Neale settled in Willows, California, co-owning a successful gravel business and the Richfield Gas station, and served as an officer in the Willows City Police Department. He had learned to fly before the war and in 1960 he became an Ag-Pilot, a career he sustained until his retirement in 1995 at the age of 70. He was also proud of his involvement in the early stages and development of the aerial wild-fire abatement program. The concept of fighting forest fires from the sky, commonly referred to as borate bombers, originated in Willows. He flew on many fires primarily in the Mendocino National Forest.
Neale enjoyed working on antique clocks, antique tractors and small engines, and no matter where he lived he was known as the 'go to' guy for difficult repairs. If it had a magneto, he could make it run. He could fix what others threw away, build what he couldn't find out of scrap and recycled material, and if a part was no longer available he could replicate it on his metal lathe.
In 2009, Neale returned to Merrill, Wisconsin with his wife Berneice Newmann Wade where he resided until his death. One of the highlights of his retirement years was participating in the Veterans Honor Flight to visit the WWII Memorial in Washington DC. He is survived by his wife Berneice, 3 brothers, 1 sister, 3 children, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
No services will be held at this time, and the family requests that in lieu of flowers contributions may be made to a favorite charity.
Online condolences may be left at www.helke.com
After the war Neale settled in Willows, California, co-owning a successful gravel business and the Richfield Gas station, and served as an officer in the Willows City Police Department. He had learned to fly before the war and in 1960 he became an Ag-Pilot, a career he sustained until his retirement in 1995 at the age of 70. He was also proud of his involvement in the early stages and development of the aerial wild-fire abatement program. The concept of fighting forest fires from the sky, commonly referred to as borate bombers, originated in Willows. He flew on many fires primarily in the Mendocino National Forest.
Neale enjoyed working on antique clocks, antique tractors and small engines, and no matter where he lived he was known as the 'go to' guy for difficult repairs. If it had a magneto, he could make it run. He could fix what others threw away, build what he couldn't find out of scrap and recycled material, and if a part was no longer available he could replicate it on his metal lathe.
In 2009, Neale returned to Merrill, Wisconsin with his wife Berneice Newmann Wade where he resided until his death. One of the highlights of his retirement years was participating in the Veterans Honor Flight to visit the WWII Memorial in Washington DC. He is survived by his wife Berneice, 3 brothers, 1 sister, 3 children, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
No services will be held at this time, and the family requests that in lieu of flowers contributions may be made to a favorite charity.
Online condolences may be left at www.helke.com
Funeral Home
Helke Funeral Home and Cremation Services302 Spruce Street
Wausau, WI 54401
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