Wade Maynard Shultz, of Athens, TN passed from this world into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Sunday,  August 18, 2024, surrounded by his family.

He was born to James "Jim" and Sarah "Bill" Shultz on August 9, 1945, and was raised in the Piney Grove area in Athens TN.

Wade is preceded in death by his parents, listed above; his wife, Cecilia Farmer Shultz; and his sister, Wanda June Jones.

He is survived by his sons and their families, Patrick Shultz of Conover NC, Josh (Cathy) Shultz of Chattanooga TN, and Russell Shultz of Athens TN; grandchildren, Kelly and Garrison Shultz, Alyssa and Kaylee Goulds, Daniel, James, and Emma Shultz.   He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Barbara Ann Hughes, PhD; brothers-in-law, Daniel Farmer and Richard Jones.

From an early age, Wade was an avid farmer, growing many different crops in his youth including corn, alfalfa, and sweet potatoes. He also enjoyed raising and showing FFA cattle and pigs.  Seeing things grow and earning some folding money were both interests of Wade's.

He was a veteran, proudly serving in the Vietnam Conflict in the US Navy or what he affectionately called "Uncle Sam's Canoe Club."  Wade was a holder of the Order of Magellan, having crossed the international date line two different times while serving on the USS Coral Sea and USS America.

After his time in the service, he and his future wife Cecilia rekindled a relationship and were married in 1971.

Over the course of 52 plus years together, Wade and Cecilia farmed everything from beef cattle and hay to row crops to apple trees.  In the early 1980's Wade and his wife foresaw a vision that they would eventually bring to reality, Shultz Farm Foods.  Researching and planting apple trees, became a business that ran every growing season for nearly 35 years.  They sold dried apples, apple stack cakes, apple cider, apple butter and the famous fried pies.   For several years, they invited thousands of school aged kids onto the property to help educate them on farm living.

Although farming was a large part of Wade's life, he did have a second occupation that worked in tandem with farming.   After returning from service, Wade began taking private pilot flying lessons, launching his second career in the transportation industry.  As a pilot for 40+ years, with 10,000+ hours of flying time, Wade was able to teach hundreds of new pilots how to fly, as well as fly commercially for several clients including Bowater, the USDA Forestry Service, and Sky Haren Construction.  It was in this area that he landed his dream job of flying for Mayfield Dairy Farm for nearly 15 years.

Wade was an avid storyteller. Most folks who talked with him commented on his ability to recount and tell stories, entertaining those with whomever he came in contact with for minutes or hours, depending on the audience's patience.

Wade had a strong relationship with Christ which led him to become a lifelong member of Gideons International.  He also served as a deacon of his church, most recently at First Baptist of Etowah.

Later in life, Wade served on various boards and committees in and around Athens, including Miracle Lake, Soil Conservation, and the McMinn County Farm Bureau.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 23, 2024 in the chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home.

Funeral service to celebrate the life of Wade will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 24th at First Baptist Church of Etowah. The body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the funeral.

Interment will follow the service in Double Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors.

A special thanks to Hearth Hospice and Home Instead Home Care of Cleveland  for making Wade's last days as peaceful and comfortable as possible.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to be given to Miracle Lake, P.O. Box 327, Etowah, TN 37331 or The Gideons International, P.O. Box 4, Athens, TN 37371-0004, two organizations dear to Wade's heart.