William Ernest Slade III

February 6, 1978 - December 17, 2021

William Slade, III, 43 Okeechobee – William Slade, III died December 17, 2021. He was born February 6, 1978 in Reno, Nevada. A resident of Okeechobee since March 2021, he had lived in California most of his life. William Ernest Slade, III was larger than life. He loved his wife, his sons and his family. He was a friend to everyone he met. He also loved his animals so much. He loved taking his pup, Duke, on adventures and letting him run free off the leash. He was a proud Marine. He was deployed to Iraq at many different times to serve our country proudly. One of his favorite lines he always said was “pain is weakness leaving the body”. He finally found his soul mate, Megan; they built a life together that they were proud of and were always so happy together. They would always talk about how their wedding day was the best day of their lives. He was proud that his son, Jeremiah, had joined the Navy and was proud of his accomplishments. He was also proud of his son, Luke, who is in high school, and proud of all his accomplishments. He loved his sons very much. He loved being in his boat fishing and exploring the new water ways he had come to know in Florida. He loved feeling free. He landed his dream job working for US Sugar in the railroad division as a railroad inspector. He was proud that he got that job and was able to provide for his family and to have a purpose. He dreamed about being a railroad conductor in the future. He always had the best work ethic and was known as a brother to most of his guys on the jobs. He was always willing to help anyone at a drop of a hat. He always needed to stay busy. He was an amazing welder, fabricator, and a jack of all trades. He always had multiple ideas and projects he wanted to do. His dreams were endless. He would always make people laugh and never wanted to see people sad. He always lived his life to the fullest. He loved driving anything fast. “Wild Willy” was his nick name, and he was proud of that name. And we were proud to know him and to love him. May you rest in peace our sweet angel. Mr. Slade was preceded in death by his grandparents, William and Agnes Slade; grandfather, William Ward; and his best friend, Edgar Rojas. He is survived by his wife, Megan Slade, of Vero Beach; sons, Jeremiah Edward Freitas and Luke William Slade, both of Manteca, California; father, William Ernest Slade, Jr. (April Lynn), of Modesto, California; mother, Kathy Ann Trueba, of Modesto, California; grandmother, Jean Alexander; brother, Theodore William Slade (Rachel Gustafson), of Modesto, California; and sisters, Monica Lynn (Slade) Pfanner (Brad Pfanner), of Modesto, California, Christina Badiali Brewer (Jason Brewer), of Arizona, and Arlene Lynn Dominguez, of California. Services will be held at a later date. Those wishing to leave a message of condolence may sign the register book at, www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.com All arrangements are entrusted to the direction and care of the Buxton & Bass Okeechobee Funeral Home, 400 North Parrott Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida, 34972.