Francis “Frank” Willard Hagey, age 80, of Edwards passed away on September 17, 2010 in his home with his wife by his side.

Calling hours will be at French Funeral Home, Edwards on Saturday, September 25, 2010 from 3:00 until 5:00 p.m. immediately followed by a memorial service at 5:00 p.m. Frank’s final resting place will be in the Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors taking place at a later time. Donations in memory of Mr. Hagey may be made to the Edwards Volunteer Rescue Squad.

Frank was born on June 25, 1930 in Philadelphia, PA to the late Willard and Katherine (Dolan) Hagey. When his marriage to Patricia Clifton ended, he married Catherine Mathews on July 27, 1974 in Korea.

Frank enlisted into the United States Army in 1947 at the age of seventeen. The Army gave him a home and a family. He served in the 82nd Airborne, and in Vietnam served with the 5th Special Forces Mobile Guerrillas. Parts of his service are documented in the book, “Black Jack – 34” by author James Donahue. He retired as 1/SGT after serving over 21 ½ years in the military. His honors and medals received include: a Silver Star, five Purple Hearts, three Good Conduct Medals, a Combat Infantry Badge, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, two National Defense Service Medals, the Vietnam Service Medal, Master Paratrooper Badge, and the Presidential Unit Citation.

As a Vietnam Veterans Outreach Center volunteer in Queens, NY, he operated combat veteran groups, crisis intervention and did some of the original research on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Under his guidance, the Outreach Center was the first to offer family and group counseling for PTSD.

His survivors include his wife, Catherine; his first wife, Patricia; four daughters, Ruth Detweiler, Robin Pender, Holly Reznick, and Marguarite Leecan; three sons, Willard “Sam”, Christopher, and David; a sister, Rosemary Leager; two brothers, Robert and Edward; three step-sisters, Barbara Remus, Suzanne Hagey, and Cindy Hagey; a step-brother, Robert Woolson; and twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by a son, John Hagey; and a sister, Catherine Felty.

Frank fell in love with Edwards for its nature, peacefulness and the kindness of the community.