William Wade

William Carlisle Wade II, known to all as Lisle, left this world February 22, 2023, at the age of 84 after a short battle with cancer.   

     Lisle began his journey December 21, 1938, in Fairmont, West Virginia as eldest son to William Carlisle and Eleanor Wade. His mother was a devoted homemaker while his father was a rising executive with Monongahela Power Company until his untimely death at the age of fifty-two.   Growing up with his younger brother Frank and little sister Janie, Lisle lived with his family on top of a hill on Peacock Lane (the name derived from a farm established by his great-great-grandfather in the 1830’s).

Lisle and his siblings built many special memories while spending time with their grandparents who lived in nearby Marlinton.   Lisle learned then that he had construction in his genes as his great-grandfather had built a significant portion of the town of Marlinton, including the county courthouse.

     As President of his senior class, Lisle graduated from West Fairmont HS in 1956, and subsequently attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute (now Virginia Tech) his freshman year of college. After transferring to West Virginia University his sophomore year, he graduated in 1960 at the top of his class with a degree in Industrial Engineering. Lisle joined Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and was a member of the infamous Goose House Gang. Upon graduation when he told by his professors he wanted to be in sales, they told him he was essentially “…throwing away his degree!” 

     He began his career with E.G. Smith, a manufacturer of commercial building materials, as a Sales Engineer. Over the course of a long, successful career, he lived in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Dallas, Chicago, Memphis, and Pittsburgh where, as VP of Sales, he opened numerous sales offices and expanded the firm’s presence overseas with projects in London and Saudi Arabia.  A new opportunity with Moncrief Lenoir brought him to Houston where he once again excelled.

In 1988, he founded Wade Architectural Systems with his son Bill. Together with his son-in-law Peter, they grew the company to include six sales offices in four states touching almost 5000 commercial projects.

     Lisle was married twice and blessed with two children, son Bill and daughter Brycie, from his marriage to his first wife, Holly Fear Wade, whom he married in college. They were married for 23 years. In 1986, he met and married the love of his life, Margaret. They enjoyed thirty-six exciting years together with Lisle helping raise his two stepchildren, Steve, and Stacey Kirk.

      Lisle and Margaret loved to travel and their incredible journeys took them literally all over the world. Their penchant for travel took them to all 7 continents and 70 countries.

     Lisle was also active in his community, serving for many years, being elected to the board of Harris County MUD District 151 and was very active at Kingwood and Atascocita Country Clubs, including serving on the Board of Governors. If Lisle wasn’t traveling or at the office, you would probably find him with friends on a tennis court, golf course, or playing poker with his buddies or duplicate bridge.  Lisle loved his work, doing business with friends, peanut butter, ice cream and good bourbon. 

     Lisle is preceded in death by his sister Libbie Jane Wade, and survived by his wife Margaret Wade, his son William Carlisle Wade III (wife Christy), his daughter Brycie Wade Parnham (husband Peter), stepchildren Steve Kirk (wife Chriztine), and Stacey Kirk, granddaughters Kylie Wade Vernegaard (husband Kirk), McKinley Wade, Tristan Parnham, grandson Beck Parnham, and Carson Kirk, and great-grandson William Wade Vernegaard. He also leaves his dear brother, Dr .Francis Wade (wife Kerry), better known as Uncle Frank.

     Lisle was a true gentleman with an incredible mind, quick wit, and unbending ethics that made him truly one of a kind.  His friends and family will remember his boundless energy, his indomitable spirit, his easy laughter, his sense of humor, and his enormous zest for living.  He will be greatly missed by so many.

     Since Lisle was not fond of funerals, we will instead celebrate Lisle’s wonderful life April 20^th, with details to follow. If you would like to make an honorary donation in his name, please consider Inspire ND, which primarily helps young adults with Autism. Donations can be made online at www.inspireND.org.