GRAHAM, MERTON C., JR.

ROME – Merton “Bud” Graham, 76, of Rome, died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2001, at the Augusta Rehabilitation Center.

He was born in Woodland, May 1, 1925, the son of Merton and Winona (Bryant) Graham. He graduated from Woodland High School and attended the University of Pennsylvania.

Merton was a corporal in a select group of Marine Raiders, serving in the 3-K [Battalion] throughout the South Pacific during World War II.

Bud had been employed as a welding foreman and instructor at United States Steel Corp., in Pittsburgh, for 34 years, retiring in 1979. Although he lived many years away, Maine was always Bud’s love and he moved back more than 20 years ago.

He was predeceased by two brothers, Albert and Merrill Graham; and three sisters, Dorothy Bates, Kathleen Layton and Myrtle Wyman.

Surviving is his wife, Betty (Jay) Graham, whom he married May 1, 1970; four sons, Wayne Graham, of Pittsburgh, Mark and Paul Friend, of Rome, and Dale Friend, of Lewiston; a daughter, Lynn Puhl, of New Jersey; two sisters, Loretta Tilson, of Sidney, and Rachel Eye, of Ansonia, Conn.; three grandchildren, Jason Wyse, and Jeff and Joseph Graham, all of Pittsburgh; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to visit from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, at Wheeler Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Oakland, where a funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday. Burial will be in the new Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta.