Rev. Robert Wade

Robert Vincent "Boat" Wade, Sr., of Hopewell, Missouri, passed away at his home on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at the age of 85. Born on March 18, 1940, in Belgrade, Missouri, Boat was a beloved son of the late Rev. Floyd Wade and the late Elsie (Nettles) Wade. He spent his early years on Clear Creek before moving to the Hopewell area, which he proudly called home for the remainder of his life.

Boat attended the old Hopewell schoolhouse and entered the workforce at a young age, building a life grounded in hard work and resilience. He worked in the sawmill industry for many years as a sawyer and logger, professions he took great pride in. As a young man, he also enjoyed playing baseball.

On December 16, 1959, Boat married the love of his life, JoAnne Wisdom. Together, they built a home filled with love, faith, and family. Around 1970, Boat answered the call to ministry, a path that defined much of his life. Over the course of approximately 50 years, he pastored several churches, including Grassy Hollow Church of God, Happy Grove Church of God, and Hopewell Community Church of God. He also traveled as an evangelist, joyfully sharing the Gospel. His life was a testament to his favorite motto: “Loving God, loving each other.”

In his early years of ministry, Boat played guitar and sang many gospel songs with the Wade Singers. He had a deep love for the mountains of Colorado and enjoyed trips with his family. He never missed an opportunity to express his love to them with his signature phrase, “I love you odles and gobbs.”

Boat is survived by his children: Jamie Wade (wife, Chris), Alex Wade (friend, Candi Barks), and Cheryl Hicks; his sister, Judy Politte; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his son-in-law, James Skaggs; in-laws: Wayne Scott, Mike and Betty Wisdom, Jackie and Sandy Lashley, and Rosemary Hartley; also many dear nieces, nephews, extended family, and cherished members of his church community.

In addition to his parents, Boat is preceded in death by his beloved wife, JoAnne Wade; his daughter, Deborah Ann Skaggs; his son, Robert Wade Jr.; granddaughter, Deanna Lea Litherland; great-granddaughters, Kaylee and Melody Wade; son-in-law, Ronald Hicks; sisters, Reva Boyster, Floy Mae Wade, and Linda Scott; and brothers, Philip Vern Wade and Floyd Lee Wade.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 29, 2025, from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM at DeClue Funeral Home. Visitation will resume on Saturday, August 30, beginning at 9:00 AM, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM in the DeClue Memorial Chapel. Interment and final prayers will follow at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Potosi.

Boat’s legacy of faith, service, and unconditional love will live on in all who had the blessing to know him. Funeral arrangements were respectfully entrusted to the care and direction of DeClue Funeral Home.