Funeral services will be held at the Columbia Academy Fine Arts Center, September 2, 2023 for Mr. Waldo Wade Cleland, 58, of Columbia, who passed away Monday, August 28, 2023. Interment will be at Society Hill Cemetery. Rev. Mark McArthur and Brian Malone will officiate the services.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm on Saturday September 2nd, 2023, the Columbia Academy Fine Arts Center.

Waldo was a resident of Marion County for forty-eight years. He attended high school at Columbia Academy and was a graduate in the class of 1983. After high school, Waldo 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 nineteen years. Waldo was also a dedicated and very successful professional archer during this time, winning four national titles and a Shooter of the Year award. Waldo had a vision to bring archery into every high school in the state of Mississippi, and 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. Waldo was also the head coach of the Mississippi College archery team from 2014-2019 and was currently serving as the assistant coach. For the last twenty years, he worked tirelessly to give every child an opportunity to enjoy a sport that he loved so dearly. Waldo 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, Waldo could be found guiding hunts in Illinois and chasing trophy white-tails with his bow. Waldo 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, Waldo always put the Lord and his family first in his life.

He was preceded in death by his Mother, Sue Cleland. He is survived by his Wife of 37 years, Kimberly Ann Cleland; his Father, Earl Cleland; one Son, Wiley Cleland (Jordan); and one Brother, Eddie Cleland (Diane).

Pallbearers will be Paul Pace, Tom Porter, Jason Johnson, Craig Beeding, John McDonald and Evan Cleland. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Tyler, Clark Gordin, Steve Grantham and Sam Polles.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mr. Cleland's 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.

Hathorn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign an online guest register book at www.hathornfuneralhome.com.

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