Wallace Wade Setliff

Wallace Wade Setliff, devoted and deeply smitten husband of 56 years to Margaret Sue Setliff (Martin) passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Wade was born on September 24, 1931, to William Wallace Setliff and Nell Patten Price Setliff in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He attended the University of Florida where he earned a B.A. of Architecture and, more importantly, where he and Sue first met just outside the current-day Student Hub on Stadium Road.

Wade’s 94 years brought so much to those who lived, loved and worked alongside him. The second youngest of eight, he cherished the loving home Wallace and Nell created. The values instilled therein built the very foundation that supported him, as well as those around him. He was our family’s steady hand and heart. Those same values guided his other roles just as capably – son, sibling, friend; Merchant Marine, civic leader and the architect whose quietly prolific work became known and admired globally.

Wade is survived by his children and grandchildren Samuel (Kristina) (Annabelle, Alistair), Susie (Mark, Son-in-Law & Personal Barber) (Cameron, Michael) and William (Bevin) (Madeline, Trixie, Wynn, Ella). He is pre-deceased by infant son, John Michael, and by his siblings Truman, Nancy, Pete, Ralph, Bobbie, Ruth, and Terrie Sue.

A graveside service will be held at 9:30AM on Saturday, August 1st at Oak Hill Burial Park on Highway 98 in Lakeland. A reception will follow at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Lakeland, Florida, 202 S Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801.