William Richard Wade

William Richard Wade, 81, of Salem, Va., passed away after a long illness on Tuesday, October 21, 2008. "Dick" was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, to William and Vera (Bergman) Wade. He was 10 years old when the family moved to Spencer, W.Va., where he grew to manhood. Dick spent three years in the United States Army and served in Italy, and was a member, as a medic, of the 82nd Airborne at Ft. Bragg, N.C. After his service to his country, he attended West Virginia University, graduating with an electrical engineering degree in 1955. While attending college, he participated in ROTC and upon graduation, received a commission in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. He attained the rank of Captain before resigning his commission. In 1955, Dick accepted a position with NASA at Langley AFB, Va., where he was instrumental in the young space program and the orbiting space mission. After retiring from NASA in 1985, Dick and his sisters, Louella and Virginia, moved to Williamsburg, Va., where Dick and Louella ran a thriving boarding kennel business. He loved dogs, especially his beloved Cairn Terriers, "Skipper," his favorite. Dick and Skipper were seen often at dog shows competing in Obedience Trials. After retiring from the kennel business in 1998, Dick and his sisters moved to Roanoke, Va., to be near their brother, Frank, and his family. Dick never married nor had any children, but he was regarded with great love and affection by his brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, William and Vera Wade; brother, Marshall; and sisters, Bettie Heasley and Virginia Wade. He is survived by his sister, Louella; brother, Frank (Jean) Wade; nieces, Sandra (Heasley) (Charles) Wilson, Marsha Southall, and Kristine Wade; nephews, Steve (Barbars) Heasley, Stanley (Jean) Heasley, and Scott (Marjorie) Wade; and several great-nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Botetourt No Kill Shelter in Troutville, Va. The Wade family is being handled by John M. Oakey and Son, Salem, Va.