Citing a number of reasons, “but most important too many birthdays,” owner Leo Hall announced Monday that Wade Ford in Wellman will close completely by December 31.

He said the repair shop will cease operations November 30 and the business closes December 31.

“Looking back, I have many fond memories,” he said, noting, “The decision to close Wade Ford Motors, Inc. was a hard one for me to make. There a comes a time in everyone’s life for some tough decisions to be made.”

A not yet 21-year old Hall joined the then Wade and Oldfield Motors as a mechanic in 1946. For the previous 33 months he had served with the U S Army, returning home in February “..and was looking for a job. I approached Elwin Wade and was hired as a mechanic. I was a trainee on the G.I. Bill of Rights.

At that time the dealership was on Wellman’s main street, where Slocket Mini Park is today. The business moved in 1951 to the Oakwood area and Hall moved with it.

In October, 1969, he became manager of Wade Ford Motors and six years later, when the business incorporated as Wade Ford Motors, Inc. he acquired a half-interest in it. Two years later, Hall acquired the final half-interest, but decided not to alter the name of the long-established business.

That same year, 1967, the present business at 227 9th Ave. was built and opened for business July 5.

“The new building would not have become a reality if not for the customers, employees, bankers and lawyers,” said Hall.

On the personal side, the same month Hall started with Wade and Oldfield, he married Martha Englund, and the couple became the parents of two children, Thomas now of Chesterfield, Missouri and Pamela of Iowa City. They also have six grandchildren.

“I fell that with my family and business I have had a full life,” he added.