Wade Burton Colbert

Wade Burton Colbert, 82, passed away Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, in Waco. Services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, at OakCrest Funeral Home with Dr. Raymond Bailey and the Rev. Curtis Holland officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd. Wade was born Feb. 28, 1927, in Dayton, Texas, to Wade and Mary Lee (Coleman) Colbert. He graduated from Liberty, Texas High School in 1944 and was inducted into the US Army. He was sent to Baylor University for one year as a member of the ASTP and then was sent overseas for the invasion of Japan. However, on the way there, the war was ended, and he was sent to the Philippine Islands as a part of the Occupation forces. He was discharged in 1947 and returned to Baylor University where he graduated in 1949 with a BBA degree. Wade married Martha Lee Hay of Waco May 27, 1950, and they had three children, Liz, Ronald, and Martha Sue. Wade worked as a claims representative with the Social Security Administration and retired in 1980. He then spent several years as a substitute teacher in the Waco ISD. Wade was a member of Seventh and James Baptist Church since 1944, and was a Deacon and a Sunday School teacher in the Junior Department. He delivered for the Meals-on-Wheels Program for years. The ministry closest to Wade's heart was the Prison Ministry which he remained a part of until he was forced to retire due to his health. Wade was an avid football fan and worked for many years at Baylor Stadium as a ticket taker and other duties as well as games at local junior high and high schools in Waco. He was preceded in death by his parents. Wade is survived by wife, Martha Lee Colbert; two daughters, Elizabeth Sanders and husband, Bill of Waco, and Martha Sue Hall and husband, Arthur of Phoenix, Ariz.; son, Ronald Colbert and wife, Jane, of Bryan; three granddaughters, Barbara Sanders Ellis and husband, Kelly, of Corpus Christi, Lacy Sanders of Idaho Springs, Colo., and Jennifer Colbert Gore of Waco; four great-grandchildren, Bradley and Bayleigh Ellis and Krista and Kaleb Gore; sister, Ruby Lee Darwin of Port Neches; two nieces; two nephews; several great-nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law, Margaret Mitchell and husband, Bob, of White Bluff. Memorials may be made to the Prison Ministry, in care of OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd., Waco, TX 76710. The online Guest Book is available at www.oakcrestwaco.com February 28, 1927 - January 29, 2010 Sign the Guest Book at www.wacotrib.com