Connie Wade (C.W.) Waddle

August 2, 2012

Connie Wade (C.W.) Waddle, 64, died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, at the VA Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

Born on Nov. 3, 1947, in Itawamba County, he was a son of the late William Jesse Waddle and Lela B. Gilliland Waddle.

Mr. Waddle  attended Fairview School. On May 23, 1980, he married Ann Ridings. For over 20 years, he owned and operated CW Waddle Logging Company. He honorably served his country in the US Army, serving in Vietnam, with the 1^st Batallion, 20^th Infantry, 11^th Infantry Brigade, American Division, Charlie Company.

Mr. Waddle, Billy Carney, Larry Rodgers, Charles Sledge and Paul Meadlo all served together in Vietnam, and remained lifelong friends, referring to themselves as a Band of Brothers.

He was a member of Liberty Baptist Church, a former Sunday School teacher and Brotherhood Club cook. He was also a lifetime member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Tupelo Branch. Mr. Waddle was a devout husband, father and grandfather. He was often referred to as the best dad anyone could have. He enjoyed being with his family, fellow Vietnam Veterans, and fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Waddle; daughters, Debbie Holland, Nettleton, Miss., Amanda Tucker and husband, Luke, Becker; sons, Brad Waddle and wife, Denise, Red Bay, Johnny Cox and wife, Paula, Blue Springs; sister, Betty Hughes and husband, Bobby, Tremont; brothers, Eudith Waddle and wife, Etoye and Milburn Waddle and wife, Janice), of Ryans Well, Odell Waddle, Tommy Waddle and wife, Patsy, of Golden, Billy Waddle and wife, Delores, Smithville; grandchildren, Jamey Holland, John Gannon and Jackson Cox; sisters-in-law, Pearlie Waddle, Fulton, Wanda Christopher and husband, Tommy, Plantersville; brother-in-law, Jackie Ridings and wife, Nita, Nettleton; mother-in-law, Mary Ruth Ridings, Nettleton; and a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Willerean Waddle; brothers, Odie and Roy Dee Waddle; sister-in-law, Olene Waddle.