Wade Raymond Murphy

Mr. Wade Raymond Murphy, beloved husband of Hazel Gresh Murphy died at

Aiken Regional Hospital July 6, 2005. A memorial service will be held at 2:00

PM Monday, July 11 at First Baptist Church, Aiken, South Carolina with Dr.

Rev. Fred Andrea III officiating.

Mr. Murphy was born and lived in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area until

he retired to Aiken in 1997. He was the son of the late Wade W. and Helen

Rickenbaugh Murphy of Pittsburgh.

During WW II Wade served in the U. S. Air Force and became a POW after

his B-24 Bomber was shot down over Austria. Before being liberated by Patton's

3rd. Army he was marched over 500 miles by retreating German forces. He was

awarded many commendations for his service to his country, including the Purple

Heart.

Upon returning home he attended The University Of Pittsburgh graduating

in 1950. He founded Murphy's Specialty Markets, a chain of retail stores well

known in the area.

Wade was a member of Aiken First Baptist Church. He was active in

Rotary International and past president and former board member of the Monroeville,

PA Rotary Club. He was also the treasurer for the American Ex-POW's, CSRA

Chapter, a member of the ''50+ Men's Club'' at Houndslake Country Club, Aiken, and

a member of Woodside Country Club, Aiken.

Wade and Hazel were a devoted couple that celebrated 57 wonderful years

of marriage and his wife says that ''he was the most perfect husband - my

knight in shining armor''.

Also surviving and adored by his daughters and son-in-law are Gail E.

Murphy of Aiken and Durham, NC and Diane' J. and Robert McDonald of Cincinnati,

OH.

He was loved and will be greatly missed by his 4 grandchildren,

Christopher Young Jess Philadelphia, PA, Julie Young Capt. F. Don Haley,

Goldsboro, NC, Jennifer E. McDonald, Chicago, IL and Robert Wade McDonald of New York

City, his 8-week old great granddaughter Mackenzie Haley; brother Robert

Lorraine Murphy of Pittsburgh; brothers-in-law Philip Maija Gresh of

Hendersonville, NC, Col. Gary Barbara Gresh of Flat Rock, NC and Donald Lynn Gresh of

Aiken.

In lieu of flowers donations may be directed to Aiken First Baptist

Church, 1120 Chesterfield Street, N.E. Aiken, SC 29801 or American Ex-POW's, 3201

East Pioneer Parkway, #40, Arlington, TX, 76010