Richard P. Hale

WILMINGTON - Richard Page Hale, 55, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007, at Presbyterian Hospital after a brief illness. He was born April 13, 1952, in Charlotte. Rick grew up in Charlotte and had a strong desire to live on the coast. In 1994, Rick and Libby Helms Hale, his wife of 37 years, made the move to the Carolina coast. He had a passion for motorcycles. For those who knew Rick, his Harley license plate read "Hogbily." He was a charter member of "Rolling Thunder NC Chapter 3," a POW/MIA Awareness Group in Wilmington that provides support for veteran issues nationwide. While living in Sherrills Ford, Rick owned and operated his own business, Rick's Mufflers. Whenever there was a gathering of friends or family, you would find Rick, with cooker in tow, providing the best "pig picking" delicacies of the South. Rick never met a stranger. Rick was a kind and giving soul. He was a wonderful provider to his family. Rick loved the open road and made his living pursuing that dream by driving a "big rig" for Estes of Leland. Surviving Rick is his wife, Libby, and sons, Richard Page Hale Jr., wife, Stephanie and son, Zachary of Newton, and Rusty Lee Hale, wife, Paula, and sons, Cory and Caleb of Winston-Salem; his mother, Betty Marks Altman and the late Harry T Altman of Charlotte; his father, William Page Hale and wife, Margaret, of Lake Norman; two sisters, Candace Hale Cross of Charlotte and Janice Annette Hayes and husband, Richard, of Apex; his brother, Ron Hale of Palm Springs, Calif.; and stepsister, Dusty Fogel of Lake Norman. In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by Nancy Helms and her late husband, Lester; and sister-in-laws, Leslie Helms Morgan and husband, Charlie, and LaDonna and husband, Barry Rowell, of Monroe. A service to celebrate the life of Richard P. Hale will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, 2007, from the graveside in Sharon Memorial Park, with the Rev. Ben Cline officiating. The family will greet friends from 1 to 2 p.m. at McEwen Funeral Service at Sharon Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Care Center, 2222 S. Seventeenth St., Wilmington, N.C. 28401. McEwen Funeral Service at Sharon Memorial Park, 5716 Monroe Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28212, (704) 334.6421, is in charge.