Samuel Everette Bruce Jr. of Hinesville passed away May 13, 2005, at his residence with his family at his side. He had been under the care of Hospice during a lengthy illness. Born at Saint Mary's Hospital in East Saint Louis, Illinois, on Sept. 29, 1929, he was the oldest son of the late Samuel Everett Bruce Sr. and Ruth Violet Nicholson Bruce. During his 28 years of service in the U.S. Army, he served in various assignments in Japan, Korea, Vietnam, France, Germany and various locations in the United States including Virginia, Michigan, Missouri and Georgia. While in France he met his wife in Azey-le-Rideau. They traveled the world together, along with their three children, before he retired at Fort Stewart in 1975. During his military career he received many awards, ribbons and medals. After retiring, he kept working with the young soldiers, helping them with their civilian and military education at the Fort Stewart Learning Center. He was an avid fisherman, frequenting the ponds on Fort Stewart for many years. He spent time researching his family genealogy. He was also a licensed amateur radio operator and was always ready to help Hinesville and Liberty County during any emergency. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, James E. Bruce. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jeanne Christiane Germain Bruce of Hinesville; two daughters and one son-in-law, Joelle Christiane and Gary Garlow of Jonesboro and Wendy Ruth Bruce of Hinesville; a son and daughter-in-law, Charles George and Wanda Bruce of Elgin, Texas; eight grandchildren, Dona Jean and Leann Bruce of Concord, Calif., Samantha Burrill of Albertville, Ala., Danielle and Allyson Burrill of Hinesville and Megan, Samuel and Tara Bruce of Elgin, Texas; two great-granddaughters, Victoria Anne Fontenot and Chloe Elizabeth Bruce of Concord, Calif.; two cousins, Robert Bruce of Fort Myers, Fla., and Laverne Cary of Corpus Christi, Texas; one sister-in-law, Georgette Burkhardt of Edgewood, Md.; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held May 17 at Beaufort National Cemetery with full military honors. Remembrances may be made to Hospice Savannah, P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416-0190. Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapter of Hinesville was in charge of arrangements.