Hugh Evins Wardlaw, Jr., was born January 20, 1918, in McComb, Mississippi, to Hugh Evins Wardlaw, Sr. and Mae Magee Wardlaw. He died Monday, May 19, 2014 in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was a resident of Kirby Pines. Evin’s family will receive guests for sharing and refreshments on Friday, May 23 from 5PM – 7PM and funeral services will be Saturday, May 24 beginning at 1PM with visitation again prior beginning at 12PM all at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN. Burial will follow in Memphis Memory Gardens Cemetery.
With a year and a half remaining in his mechanical engineering degree from Mississippi State University, in May, 1941, he was inducted into federal service through the MS National Guard, serving in the U.S Army 31st Infantry “Dixie” Division of the 155th Infantry. In January, 1942, he and Etta Eugenia “Ettagene” Jones were married while he was stationed at Ford Blanding, FL. In August, 1943, he was sent, for what became two years, to the European theatre of World War II, fist being stationed in Northern Africa. He was then assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division as Company Commander at Anzio Beachhead, serving as S-3 and Battalion Executive Officer. He also fought in the following battles and campaigns: Rome, Arno, Southern France, Naples, Foggia, Rhineland, and Central Europe. After the war he remained in the Army Infantry Reserve, retiring as Colonel.
Among his decorations were a Combat Infantry Medal, Silver Star, Bronze Star with an Oak Lear Cluster, Purple Heart, EAME with 5 Battle Stars and Invasion Arrowhead, French Foureguerre, Distinguished Unit Citation with an Oak Leaf Cluster, and the French Legion of Honor. Upon returning home in August , 1945, he completed his studies and graduated from MSU. He was employed by the MS Valley Gas Co. in Meridian and Jackson, MS as a mechanical engineer and later was employed by the US Army Corps of Engineers in Memphis, from where he retired as chief of the mechanical and electrical engineering section. He was a member of the Whitehaven Methodist Church, the Society of American Military Engineers, the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Delta Amateur Radio Club with call sign WB4SLJ.
He was predeceased by his parents, his first wife Ettagene Jones Wardlaw, his second wife Lorene Ely Wardlaw, his son Eugene Wardlaw, and his sister Mattie Wardlaw Mettetal.
He is survived by children Jan Wardlaw McSpadden (husband Gilbert R.) of Ridgeland, MS, Hugh Evins Wardlaw, III (wife Linda) of Bartlett, TN, daughter-in-law Pam Wardlaw of Clinton, MS; his grandchildren Clint Guthrie, Jeanette Guthrie O’Reilly, Thom Guthrie, Emily Guthrie Ferguson, Hugh Evins Wardlaw, IV, Eric Wardlaw, Bryan Wardlaw, Russ Wardlaw, Drew Wardlaw, 12 great-grandchildren; and brothers Dr. Lee Wardlaw and John Wardlaw.
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