Wade Arnold Pettis, a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, passed into the arms of the Lord on March 14, 2024.
The son of Charlie Laney and Annie Jannie Pettis, born in Bonifay, FL on February 17, 1949.
He joined the Marine Corps on August 23, 1967, earning a distinguished spot with the Marine Helicopter Training Group. Which led to his position as a Crew Chief and Door Gunner on the CH-46. Lance Corporal Pettis flew Recon Inversion, Extraction, Night and Day Medevacs and Vertical Troop Insertion.
During his Marine Corps career, he was awarded fifteen awards including a Purple Heart that was awarded to him thirty-three years after being wounded in an emergency medical evacuation of a fellow marine, the Distinguished Flying Cross with a gold star, Air Metal for 600 combat missions, USMC commendation with Valor, USMC Achievement with Valor, Combat Action, USMC Unit Commendation, Good Conduct with a star, National Defense, Vietnam Service with three stars, RVN Cross of Gallantry, Cross of Gallantry Unit Commendation, Vietnam Campaign, Combat Air Crew Wings with three stars and Rifle and Pistol Sharpshooter.
Wade is survived by one child, Christine (Randy) Suydan, three grandchildren, Morgan (Tyler) Scheff, Michael (Jenna) Godsey and Mercy (Cory) Shupe, six siblings, Wayne (Susan) Pettis of Shalimar, Rosalyn (Robert) Bell of Bonifay, Wendell (Gladys) Pettis of Bonifay, Willard (Betty) Pettis of Freeport, Wilfred Pettis of Bonifay and Woodrow (Frances) Pettis of Caryville and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, one daughter Rebecca Godsey, one granddaughter, Miranda Godsey, and one brother Henry Wallace Pettis.
Services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, March 20, 2024, in the Peel Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the Poplar Head Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery with Peel Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 10 to 11 AM Wednesday at Peel Funeral Home.
