Good old "Ugly" Wade, was one of the first people I ever heard on the radio as a teenager (about 15), when I got my first scanner and began listening to two meters. He would walk his dog and bring the HT with him. I met him later at the MARA club meetings, and didn't become a ham until I was about 20, but Wade became a regular contact afterwards. Wade died slowly of Lou Gehrig's Disease, and is sorely missed by many in the amateur community. Hamming was much funner when he was around.
I lived in Whitehaven myself in the early 70s, and visited Wade many times in those days. I used to talk to him on 2 meters while he and his wife took their afternoon walks. I remember the 40 meter beam he had that just laid on the roof, but worked anyway. He was a real character and added a lot of flavor to the Memphis amateur community.