Watson Wade Hamrick, age 82, passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Mr. Hamrick was born on August 11, 1940, in Buckhannon, WV to Adam Eskridge and Violet Madeline Hamrick. His childhood years were spent growing up in Webster Spring, WV with seven brothers and sisters. In addition to his parents, Mr. Hamrick is preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor Hamrick; grandson, Tyler Wade Hamrick; three sisters; and one brother.

After proudly serving his country in the Vietnam War and receiving two bronze stars, the marksmanship medal, and the good conduct medal, Wade moved to Pennsylvania where he worked for nineteen years at the Power Replacement Corporation steel company.

In 1971 Mr. Hamrick met his soon-to-be bride, Eleanor Loyd. The couple married on August 11, 1973. Wade and Eleanor raised a beautiful family blending their six kids and later having two more. The family grew to include fourteen grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren.

Since Eleanor's passing, Mr. Hamrick has spent the last ten years with those most important in his life, his family. He will be greatly missed.

Left to cherish Mr. Hamrick's memory are his children, son, John and Donna Buehrle, daughter, Darla and Jim Tinker, daughter, Darlene and Dave Gehris, son, Ken Buehrle and partner Jen Grater, daughter, Tammi and Johnny Vassa, daughter, Terri Hamrick-Oeschger and Jon Oeschger, daughter, Shana Hamrick and partner George; son,  Bradley Hamrick and partner Louise Cooper; siblings, Wallace Hamrick, Harvey Hamrick and wife Darlene, and Elbert Hamrick.

Memorial services will be conducted on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Reins- Sturdivant Funeral Home at 2:00 PM. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Military honors will be presented by the Independence VFW Post # 7726 and the US Army.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rugby Rescue Squad, 53 Rugby Road, Mouth of Wilson, VA 24363.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home is serving the Hamrick family.