R.B. "Pete" Hailey, Commander, USN, (Ret.), age 87 of Sevierville, passed away Friday, May 1,
2009.
He was born May 25, 1921, in Ontario, VA. Following two years at Virginia Tech, he graduated
from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1943, (Class of 1944). Following graduation from Submarine School, he reported to SUBPAC and
completed seven war patrols aboard the USS Perch (SS313), ending his wartime career in Tokyo Bay.
After
return to the States, and marrying Mary Louise Waters, he served on USS Pomfret and USS Greenfish. He resigned from the Navy
in 1947 and graduated from Washington and Lee University Law School in 1950.
Recalled to active
duty in Korean War, he served two years on the staff of COMSUBLANT. He retired as Commander, USNR.
Civic life included 55 years as a lawyer; real estate ventures; developer of Forbidden Caverns; founding chairman
of the Robert F. Thomas Medical Foundation; served on Tennessee State Board of Education; served as University of Tennessee
Trustee; served as Morristown College Trustee; served as Holston Home for Children Trustee; and founding chairman of the Sevier
County Veterans Monument Association. He taught the youth class at the Gatlinburg Methodist Church for 18 years and later
the Men's Bible Class at the First United Methodist Church in Sevierville.
After two wars
and 55 years of law practice, he believed that Alex Hailey was right when he said, "Find the good and praise it."
