Wade Franklin "Frank" Soulliere

1950 - 2016

Wade Franklin Soulliere (Frank)
July 6, 1950 – April 4, 2016
Wade Franklin Soulliere (Frank), 65, entered eternal life Monday, April 4, 2016, in the comfort of his home in Tularosa, NM surrounded by family and friends after a short fight with lung cancer. Frank was born July 6, 1950, in Lexington, SC to Robert Richard Soulliere Sr. and Ruby Lee Tager.

He was raised in a humble and hard working family that involved mostly logging which took him from South Carolina, Upper Michigan, Lower Michigan, Georgia and a few points in between. Ultimately, settling into Upper Michigan in Marquette, Michigan.

Frank in his youth was a mechanically inclined and vigorous child. He once dismantled a peddle rocket toy into pieces, when the store wanted to take it back. Frank tried his skills at flying off a roof on a surf board, which he broke his back. In Frank's fashion and strong determination, overcame all odds and recovered from almost being paralyzed.

He enlisted in the Army and served two voluntary tours in Vietnam. While enlisted he served as a Construction Engineer and was promoted into Transportation. In his Transportation career, he saved a convoy of explosives, fuel and ammunition from explosion. In coming down a mountain, the lead explosives truck brakes caught fire. The driver jumped out of the truck and in Frank fashion he stopped his truck and jumped into the burning truck to drive it all the way down the hill to put out the fire and crash it into a pond.

When he returned from Vietnam, he naturally went onto a trucking career for 30 years. Ultimately owning and operating his trucking business, Soulliere Trucking for 10 years. Frank closed his business after battling economy, fuel prices and regulations in 2000.

Frank's trucking career brought him out to the western United States one time. This stuck in his mind as it was Frank's and Judy's quest to settle into a warmer climate. They ventured out west, in 2001, with a dart board and map to find a place to live. Well the dart landed between New Mexico and Arizona. Fate had them stop in Alameda Park in Alamogordo for lunch during their quest. They pressed on to Tucson, AZ but the heat was unbearable. The quaint town of Alamogordo/Tularosa drew them back and they settled for 15 years. He started his new career at Jack Wayte Construction as a Truck Driver and retired as a Superintendent after 15 years of commendable service.

Frank was a master mechanic that could fix anything with limited supplies, but always finished with his signature toggle switch fix. Besides his mechanic hobby, Frank loved hunting most especially annual deer camp, not just for the relaxation but being with the children and extended family. His signature scolding's came from the heart to put you in your place when you needed it and inspired you to work hard to get things done. His annual Christmas fudge will surely be missed by all.

Preceding his death were his parents, first wife of 21 years Louise (Quayle) Soulliere, that passed away of cancer. He is survived by his second wife of 20 years Judy Lynn (Pasco) Soulliere, children Debbra Baringer of Newalla, OK, Neash Sparks of Harrisburg, IL and Linda Soulliere of Tecumseh, MI; 8 grand-children Chase Soulliere, Richard Barringer, Caitlen Soulliere, Riley Barringer, Chaela Soulliere-Sparks, Hayden Wallace, Clarance Farmer and Ryan Sparks; 1 great-grandson Phoenix Soulliere; 2 siblings Robert (Jr)Soulliere wife Linda and Maple Mezo and husband Maury. Also numerous nieces, nephews, extended/adopted family, close friends and his Jack Wayte Construction family.
The family has entrusted Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home for cremation. The family will conduct a private service at a later date.