Waldo Wade Cleland
58, Columbia
Funeral services were held at noon on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in the Columbia Academy Fine Arts Center for Waldo Wade Cleland, 58, of Columbia, who passed away on Monday, Aug. 28. Burial followed in Society Hill Cemetery. Rev. Mark McArthur and Brian Malone officiated at the services. Visitation was held from 10 a.m. until the time of the services on Saturday, Sept. 2, in the Columbia Academy Fine Arts Center.
He was a resident of Marion County for 58 years. He attended high school at Columbia Academy and graduated in the class of 1983. After high school, he attended Pearl River Community College for two years. He then began to live out his dream career by opening Waldo’s Sports Center, where he was the owner for 19 years. He was also a dedicated and very successful professional archer during this time, winning four national titles and a Shooter of the Year award. He had a vision to bring archery into every high school in the state of Mississippi. In 2003, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife gave him the tools needed to start the Archery in Mississippi Schools program (AIMS). This allowed him to spend more time with family, while still investing in others through the sport of archery. He truly believed lives could be changed, one arrow at a time. He was also the head coach of the Mississippi College archery team from 2014 until 2019 and was currently serving as the assistant coach. For the last 20 years, he worked tirelessly to give every child an opportunity to enjoy a sport that he loved so dearly. He changed the lives of many with a simple bow and arrow.
In his spare time, he enjoyed spending days at the lake with Kim and his family during the summer. In the fall, he could be found guiding hunts in Illinois and chasing trophy white-tails with his bow. He has spent countless hours coaching or watching his son and daughter-in-law in sporting events. His love for the outdoors and sharing experiences with others was unmatched. Most importantly, he always put the Lord and his family first in his life.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Sue Cleland.
Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Kimberly Ann Cleland; father, Earl Cleland; one son, Wiley Cleland (Jordan); and one brother, Eddie Cleland (Diane).
Pallbearers were Paul Pace, Tom Porter, Jason Johnson, Craig Beeding, John McDonald and Evan Cleland. Honorary pallbearers were Bob Tyler, Clark Gordin, Steve Grantham and Sam Polles.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to AIMS at www.foundationmwfp.com or by mailing a check (include Waldo Cleland in the Memo) to MWFP Foundation, P.O. Box 14194, Jackson, MS 39236.
Friends may sign an online guest register book at www.hathornfuneralhome.com. Hathorn Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
