Bill Ade

Charles William "Bill" Ade, 96, of Chesterfield, Missouri, went to his eternal heavenly home on Saturday, November 4, 2023. He was a resident of Mari de Villa in Town and Country, Missouri.

He was born February 10, 1927, in Moline, Illinois, to Earl R. and Mildred Greer Ade. He married in 1951 and is the father of two daughters, Nancy and Kristine. He married a second time in 1969, to Sue McCauley "Sweet Sue". They had been married 49 years when Sue passed away August 2, 2018.

Bill served honorably in the U.S. Army, from May 15, 1953, to May 13, 1955, during the Korean War. He earned money for college, and wanted to study the hardest thing he could, so he studied chemical engineering, earning a bachelor's and master's degree in chemical engineering, at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. He received a second master's degree in gas technology at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, and then earned a doctorate in chemical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, using funds from his G. I. Bill to finish his formal education.

While in Chicago, he received a job offer from Missouri River Fuel Corporation (MRFC) in St. Louis. The position was for chemical development, a new endeavor for pipelines. Bill did extensive research and reports for MRFC, and the company subsequently built an anhydrous ammonia plant and a cement plant. He was employed by the company for over 18 years, but the industry changed again, so Bill changed too. He joined Northern Natural Pipeline in Omaha, Nebraska, and managed the daily operation of the pipeline. Nearly two years later, MRFC called him to continue the work he had done there, and he returned as a vice president, serving another 13 years before retiring. After retirement, he worked seven years as a consultant for natural gas companies on the East Coast.

Bill was a positive, pleasant man, who was always moving forward and very grateful for his education. He liked a good mystery, meeting people from all backgrounds, a round or two of golf, a good steak or salmon, and always looked forward to the annual Ade family reunion in Moline, Illinois.

Loving survivors include his daughters: Nancy Ade of St. Louis; and Kristine (Jim) Laws of Texas; grandchildren; Courtney (Steve) and Kate (Michael) of Texas, and David of Ohio; great-grandchildren; a brother, John Ade of Canada; and Sue's relatives, nephew, Patrick McCauley of Florida; and niece, Lynne McCauley of Jackson, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; and sister, Doris Ade Elliott.

Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Thursday, November 9, 2023, at New Salem Methodist Church in Daisy, Missouri, followed with the funeral service at 11:30 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Janet Hopkins. Military rites will follow at the church cemetery, where Bill will be laid to rest next to his late wife, Sue.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association or New Salem Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab above Bill's obituary article at mccombsfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bill Ade, please visit our floral store.