Wayland Chester Wade was born March 18, 1936, in Soper, Oklahoma to Robert and Gretna (Godwin) Wade. He passed away March 18, 2025, surrounded by family and loved ones on his 89th birthday, in Oklahoma City.

Wayland had a lengthy career in the Oklahoma Air National Guard where he served with honor and retired after 30 years of service, rising to the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. He had numerous talents and gifts from drawing to carving. He enjoyed bowling, barbequing, ice cream making at every family get together in the summer, along with Native American storytelling, fishing, learning new skills and hobbies and was always honing his talents.

Wayland was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Van and Gretna Allene Wade; wife, Loretta Marie Exendine; brother, Emerson Wade; sisters, Van Etta Buff, Naomi Sitton and Traci Lynn Hardy-Wilson.

Survivors include his life partner, Joy Mileham; sons, Wayland Wade, Doc the Scarlett Macaw; stepchildren, Ed Wilson and wife Becky, Beth and Stan Thomason, Beverly and Bobby Garrison, Rhonda Mileham and husband Keith Bennett, Rick Nichols and wife Donna, Ron Nichols and wife Teri; sister, Wilda Mignon Wade-Wright-Witner; along with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, other family and friends,

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm Thursday, March 27, 2025, at the funeral home.  A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm, Sunday, April 13, 2025, at the Restland Cemetery in Boswell, Oklahoma. Arrangements are under the direction of Lehman Funeral Home of Wellston.