War hero William Francis McGrath, 82, of Hemet, died of congestive heart failure Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, at Riverside County Regional Medical Center in Moreno Valley.

Mr. McGrath was born Feb. 19, 1920, in Philadelphia.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1939 and was discharged in 1946.

Sgt. “Bud” McGrath served in the Pacific in World War II. He received the Bronze Star, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, a Purple Heart and other decorations for bravery under enemy fire.

Following his discharge from active duty, he joined the Bechtel Corporation and retired as a senior project safety superintendent in San Francisco after 27 years.

He was a resident at Royal Pines Mobile Home Park in Idyllwild from 1998 to 2002 and had also lived in Hemet for the past five years.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 800 and the Queen of Angels Catholic Church. He also was a member of the Elks Club.

A memorial service is at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21 at Miller-Jones Mortuary, 1501 W. Florida Avenue, Hemet, with Father Huy Q. Dinh officiating..

Internment will be at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside.

Mr. McGrath is survived by four daughters, Helen Leach of Dana Point, Teresa Eakle of Orange, Colleen McGrath of Las Vegas and Karen Carpenter of Grants Pass, Ore.; a son, Brendon McGrath of Tuscon, Ariz.; and extended family members.