Joseph Wise Obituary

Joseph F. Wise, Jr. SALUDA, SC - The Honorable Joseph Franklin Wise, Jr., 92, of Saluda, SC, passed away December 7, 2016 at the Saluda Rehabilitation & Nursing Center with his family by his side. Joe was born on October 14, 1924, in Charleston, SC, to the late Joseph F. Wise, Sr. and Louise Brown Wise. He served in WWII in France, England, Belgium, Holland and Germany, some of it with the Army Intelligence services. He was a sergeant in the 1st Allied Airborne Division and 101st Airborne Division. His outfit was the first Air Forces unit to enter Berlin. It took over the famed Tempelhof Airdome, relieving the Russians. After the war he attended the University of South Carolina. Joe followed in his father's footsteps who also served in the House at the age of 22 in 1919, and he was elected at the age of 22 to the SC House of Representatives from Charleston County in 1948. He was the youngest State Legislator in the 87th General Assembly and was greeted with a high chair as his desk. (A prank pulled on him by the representatives.) He served on the Ways and Means committee during his term in office. He initiated a bill which passed to name the Carolina Wren as the State bird. Other legislation he was involved with helped lay the ground work for MUSC in Charleston. While serving in the House, he met the love of his life, Diana Davis and they were married on September 5, 1951 at Main Street Methodist Church in Columbia, SC. After an unsuccessful run for reelection, Joe went to work as the Division Director at the New South Life Insurance Company for Mayor Lester Bates for many years. When that company closed, Joe went to work for the State Budget and Control Board as an Insurance Adjuster. He retired in December of 2001 at the age of 77. When his wife became ill with breast cancer, they moved to Saluda to be with their daughter. The last 2 years he enjoyed the farm, feeding and watching the chickens, goats, ducks and horses. Joe loved to play baseball in his younger years and was a good artist drawing numerous cartoon sketches for family and friends. He was a devoted family man and was always amazed at God's blessings in his life. He was always looking out for others, doing many anonymous acts of kindness for people. Joe is survived by his daughter and son-in-love, Diana and Raymond Smith; granddaughter, Tiffany Diana (Tre') Wylie; loving cousin, Carol Mayfield, nephew, Tom McDermott; and niece, Linda Guarino and their children. Joe was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Diana Davis Wise; his sisters, Virginia Wise and Merry L. McDermott. The family will receive friends on Monday, December 12, at Temples-Halloran Funeral Home, 5400 Bush River Rd., Columbia, SC, at 10:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Burial is immediately following the service at Bush River Memorial Gardens. Rev. Dan Ratchford is officiating. The family wishes to thank the staff at Saluda Rehab and Nursing Center for all their attention and care of Mr. Joe during his stay. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Smyrna Presbyterian Church, 32 Smyrna Rd., Newberry, SC 29108-8803. Online condolences may be sent to www.templeshalloranfuneralhome.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston