I was in the 2nd and 3rd grade class with Willie at Combee Elementary School where my mother taught 4th grade. Willie was known as "Pug" Metts in those early years. He loved his music even back then. He sang on a local radio program frequently and we enjoyed hearing him dedicate some songs to our principal. He also sang at some of our school programs. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. He was a great performer.
I "dated" Aleta as a 6th grader at Lake Morton Elementary. We'd go to her house after school and listen to the Diamonds and Bill Haley. She told me about Pug and his singing.
I never knew him very well. But, then once, perhaps at the 10-year reunion, I heard him sing the Texas White-boy Blues sound and I was appreciative of his talent.
Today, I listen to singers like Delbert McClinton and they remind me of Willie "Pug" Metts.
Willie "Pug" Metts was special and funny. I, also, attended Combee Elementary with Willie and his mother worked with my mother at the Smokehouse Restaurant in West Lakeland. (Some of the best bar-b-que around). I followed Willie's band for many years and was always so thrilled to get up and dance to their rock and roll. For a while, he managed a restaurant in Winter Haven where his mother and I would go once a week and have some of the best hot dogs around. Willie will always have a special place in my heart and was a dear friend.
Willie was definitely a special person. For a while he worked at Fat Jack's & later at Publix. But we will never forget the years that he was the lead singer of the Canadian Rouges. He performed at some of our reunions, & I was lucky enough to have he & the band for my daughter's wedding reception. He had health problems with a bad heart that eventually led to us losing him much too early. We miss you, Willie.
I saw Willie once after graduation and that was when we were in the jewelry store at Southgate. We talked about one of the times some friends and I found him walking south on Highway 37 and asked him where he was going and he said home. We took him home but he did not live in our direction. He was so funny and loveable. Equilla (Quill) Hicks Holdridge
Aleta Brown (Relyea)
I was in the 2nd and 3rd grade class with Willie at Combee Elementary School where my mother taught 4th grade. Willie was known as "Pug" Metts in those early years. He loved his music even back then. He sang on a local radio program frequently and we enjoyed hearing him dedicate some songs to our principal. He also sang at some of our school programs. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. He was a great performer.
Michael Durhan
I "dated" Aleta as a 6th grader at Lake Morton Elementary. We'd go to her house after school and listen to the Diamonds and Bill Haley. She told me about Pug and his singing.
I never knew him very well. But, then once, perhaps at the 10-year reunion, I heard him sing the Texas White-boy Blues sound and I was appreciative of his talent.
Today, I listen to singers like Delbert McClinton and they remind me of Willie "Pug" Metts.
Mike Durhan
Shirley Black (Brosie)
Willie "Pug" Metts was special and funny. I, also, attended Combee Elementary with Willie and his mother worked with my mother at the Smokehouse Restaurant in West Lakeland. (Some of the best bar-b-que around). I followed Willie's band for many years and was always so thrilled to get up and dance to their rock and roll. For a while, he managed a restaurant in Winter Haven where his mother and I would go once a week and have some of the best hot dogs around. Willie will always have a special place in my heart and was a dear friend.
Bob Harter
Willie was definitely a special person. For a while he worked at Fat Jack's & later at Publix. But we will never forget the years that he was the lead singer of the Canadian Rouges. He performed at some of our reunions, & I was lucky enough to have he & the band for my daughter's wedding reception. He had health problems with a bad heart that eventually led to us losing him much too early. We miss you, Willie.
Equilla (Quill) Hicks (Holdridge)
I saw Willie once after graduation and that was when we were in the jewelry store at Southgate. We talked about one of the times some friends and I found him walking south on Highway 37 and asked him where he was going and he said home. We took him home but he did not live in our direction. He was so funny and loveable. Equilla (Quill) Hicks Holdridge