Born at the old Miner’s Hospital in Park City, Utah, to Rosemund Hall and Blaine Barr Bitner, June 14, 1942, Wade lived the first 10 years of his life on “The Ranch.” He worked his next 14 years there taking a break to enlist in the Utah National Guard and then he served in the Central British Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
With immense courage he stormed the fortress of BYU to capture the heart of Sandra Lee Goff and with much wooing, and the promises of a horse, he married his eternal companion on June 30, 1966. They invited and cherished three and a half dozen children to live with them on this earth which numerically translates to five sons and four daughters: Breneman (Ladean) Bitner, Justin (Celeste) Bitner, Rebecca (Russell) Juber, Morgan (Connie) Bitner, Jennifer (Scott) Anderson, Preston (Jodee) Bitner, Jane (Blake) Burbank, Kathryn (Cody) Myers, and Spencer (Chelsea) Bitner.
Wade’s accomplishments are innumerable, but he always wanted to be known as “Faithful.” Always he was that. Always he was true to himself. His values are work, education, productivity, decisions based on correct information, responsibility with accountability, balance, and honor.
He graduated from the University of Utah with a B.S. in biology, and completed an M.S. in horticulture at Utah State University. He finished as an Associate Professor Emeritus Extension, for Utah State University. He worked 26 years, 16 as Tooele County Extension Agent, 10 years in Salt Lake City as a horticulturist. After retiring, he spent three years in Nauvoo, Illinois, serving two consecutive missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Later he entered the political arena, becoming the Chairman of the Tooele County Commission for four years.
He taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ from the age of 16 onward, serving as bishop, in the Stake Presidency, counselor to various bishops, Primary teacher, stake missionary, high council member, and ordinance worker at the Salt Lake and Nauvoo temples.
An avid Boy Scouts of America supporter, Scoutmaster, Cubmaster three times, and committee chairman, he culminated this with the Silver Beaver award.
In Tooele he held responsibility for the Tooele County Livestock Show and the Tooele County Fair. He worked for years with the 4-H youth programs. He was a founding board member of the Scott M. Matheson Urban Nature Preserve, dba Governor’s Grove. He was the State President of the Utah Extension Agriculture Agents and later the State President of the Utah Extension 4-H Agents Association.
Always the kind, stable, and determined working man, he would never quit the work until a brain tumor dramatically called him home to his Father in Heaven. He was hands on, always learning, interested in everything, and a fount of knowledge, truth, and love.
In lieu of flowers, please consider Wade’s philosophy “Life is uncertain, eat dessert first.” Enjoy dessert with those you love.
Please join us for a celebration of life Thursday June 17, 2021, from 6 to 8 p.m., at 115 E. Cherry St., Grantsville, Utah. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday June 18, with visitation prior to the funeral service from 9 to 10:30 a.m., at 115 E. Cherry St., Grantsville. Online at grantsville.live/grantsville5th. Interment at the Grantsville City Cemetery under care of Dalton-Hoopes Funeral Home. Condolences and memories shared at daltonhoopes.com.