Obituary of Colonel Joseph William Weyrick

A memorial service celebrating the life and legacy of Colonel Joseph William Weyrick, (U.S. Army, Ret.), 93, of Columbia will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 15, 2013 at Wildewood Downs Dining Room, 731 Polo Road, Columbia, SC 29223 with Fr. Blaney Pridgen officiating and full military honors will follow. Following his memorial service, Joe will be buried at his wife's side at the West Point Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box, 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 in Colonel Weyrick's memory. On-line condolences may be sent to www.greenlawn-columbia.com. The family has entrusted Greenlawn Funeral Home with the sacred arrangements. Colonel Weyrick departed this earthly life on Saturday, June 8, 2013. He was born in Nogales, Arizona to Leroy Weyrick and Genevieve McKnight Weyrick. The distinguished military career of Colonel Weyrick began after he received his B.S. degree from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., in 1943. His tours included the American, Pacific/Japanese theaters from 1944 to 1947, and numerous assignments during the Korean War, various assignments within the United States, a lengthy tour of duty in Germany (1960-1963), service as Defense Attaché in the Dominican Republic during its revolution from 1965 to 1967, and finalized with a combat tour of duty in South Vietnam (1970-71). His last assignment was serving as the Director of Personnel at Fort Jackson, ending with his retirement in July, 1973. Colonel Weyrick earned numerous decorations and awards to include the Bronze Star Medal, Legion of Merit (w/OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Servicio De Merito Blanco (Dominican Republic). He also served during World War II, Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Colonel Weyrick retired from the United States Army after 30 years of dedicated service to our country. Colonel Weyrick was predeceased by his parents and by his loving wife of 58 years, Norma Peterson Weyrick. Joe's greatest loves were his wife, his children, grandchildren, and his great-grandson, Beckett. His family and friends will remember his gracious nature, his legacy of service to his country, and his enjoyment of a good dry Martini with friends. Surviving are his children, William Roy Weyrick (Fran), Douglas Lee Weyrick (Dyan), Bruce Loring Weyrick (Robin), and Laura Weyrick Hughes (Russ); his grandchildren, Melissa Weyrick (Nick), Genevieve Sloan Alert (Jason), Jason Weyrick, Joshua Galen Sloan, Laura Lynn Weyrick, Aubrey Lynne Sloan, and Julian August Sloan; his great-grandson, Beckett Cole Alert; a brother, Earl Edmund Weyrick; a former daughter-in-law and friend, Dana Weyrick; and his friends at the Wildewood Downs Retirement Community. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff of Wildewood Downs Retirement Community for their tender and loving care they provided to Joe for the last nine years.