Gradie Abbott

Chief Warrant Officer CW4 Gradie Abbott, 73, Columbia, S.C., formerly of Georgetown, died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, at his home.
Born Feb. 19, 1935, near Morgantown, Ky., he was the son of the late Justice and Bessie Harper Abbott.
He graduated from Georgetown High School in 1953 and enlisted in the Army. He served nine overseas tours, in Germany, Korea, Vietnam and Panama, before he retired in 1983. Among the honors he was awarded were the Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, a Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and an Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Vivian Abbott Emerson.
Survivors include his wife of more than 50 years, the former Siegrid Butsch; a daughter, Sieglinde Abbott Buff; a son, Jesse Abbott; a sister, Nancy Abbott Brinksneader; a half brother, Danny Joe Willis; four stepbrothers, Charles, Richard, Larry and Paul Allen Willis; three grandchildren; and a great-grandson.
Funeral: Saturday, Feb. 14, at Greenlawn Memorial Park Funeral Home with burial in Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, both in Columbia.