Wade Waddy Banks passed away on September 12, 2024 at Homewood of Williamsport, surrounded by family, after an extended period of several illnesses.
Wade was born at home in Shepherdstown on May 17, 1934. His parents were Thomas Lee and Margaret Waddy Banks. He graduated from Shepherdstown High School in 1952 and matriculated at Shepherd College, where he received a BA degree. He received a graduate degree in speech communications from Florida State University in 1959 and completed additional course work at Ohio State University and West Virginia University.
He married his life-long love, Carolyn Ropp Miller on December 20, 1959. They remained close partners in many adventures for the next sixty-five years, living through better and worse.
Wade is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn; three sons, Thomas Carroll and wife Ladonna, Wade Andrew and wife Joanna, and Daniel Ashley and husband Daniel Vickers; grandchildren Colin Ulrich and Harrison Wade Banks and Hayden Thomas and Isabel Clare Banks: and great-grandchildren Brooks Wade and Vada Rose Banks; brother Thomas Lee, nieces, nephews, cousins, Max the cat, and many others who dearly loved him.
After completing his education, he was employed by Furman University in Greenville, SC, where he was an instructor of speech and theater. The standing joke between Wade and Carolyn from that time forward was that when an activity was considered questionable, they responded, “might as well, can’t dance,” referring to the school’s prohibition on dancing. In 1960, he was hired to the staff of Shepherd College. In addition to teaching, he directed plays and supervised all technical aspects of play production. He remained at Shepherd for 17 years and attained the rank of Associate Professor. During his time at Shepherd, he developed an interest in home construction. During the summer months when he was not teaching, he served as a general contractor, building five houses and restoring two others.
Wade changed the course of his life in 1976, when he and Carolyn purchased Kave’s Market in downtown Shepherdstown. Renamed German Street Market, the business thrived and outgrew its small size. In March of 1980, he and Carolyn brought a modern grocery experience to Shepherdstown when he built and opened the Potomac Supermarket, which very soon needed to be expanded. Potomac Supermarket was one of the first to use the UPC scanning system you see in every store today. The business was sold in 1992, and Wade semi-retired with Carolyn to South Carolina.
Moving back to Shepherdstown after the birth of their first grandchild, he stayed semi-retired, working for independent and corporate grocery stores in the area.
He was a life-long member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Shepherdstown, serving in many different functions.
When his sons were not selected for either of the two Shepherdtown Little League teams, Wade took it upon himself to organize an alternative team. Getting donations of spare uniforms and equipment and scheduling games against small towns in the same situation, Wade established what would become a thriving minor league system, giving all young boys a chance to play baseball, compete and develop relationships with others.
Wade served several terms on the Shepherdstown Town Council and served as Treasurer and paymaster during his first term in office. He also served with many town and community organizations while in office and as a citizen. He was a charter member of the Shepherdstown Rotary Club, served as its third president and was a Paul Harris fellow. He was involved in the United Way of Jefferson County and served as president for a year. He also served several years as a board member of People’s Bank of Charles Town. During his later years, he volunteered at City Hospital and Caregivers of Shepherdstown.
After coming to Homewood, Wade remained a trusted community member, helping to operate the Homewood store and serving as the treasurer of the Homewood Association.
As a final act of selflessness, Wade willed his body to the West Virginia University Gift Registry.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 17, at 1 PM at Trinity Episcopal Church in Shepherdstown.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jefferson County Humane Society.
