He was born Sept. 17, 1920, in Linden, N.J., to the late Thomas and Anna Wieser, who immigrated here from Austria.

Paul was a World War II veteran who served proudly aboard the USS North Carolina as a Boatswain mate 1st Class from Feb. 1941 to Feb. 1947. He was a retired firefighter from the Linden (N.J.) Fire Department. He was recalled during the Korean Crisis to serve on the USS Kula Gulf.

After retiring from the fire department, he went to live in Wilmington, N.C. to be close to his beloved ship. He took on various part-time jobs and served as a tour guide for 10 years aboard the BB55. This is where he met his wife, Millie and they fell in love and were married on March 12, 2000, and he came to live with her in Culpeper. He loved doing living histories and recalling his days in the service of his country.

Paul was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Reva where he served as a deacon. He was also a member of the USS North Carolina Battleship Association, American Battleship Association, World War II Remembered, All American Honor Guard, AARP Culpeper Chapter, Police and Fire Association of New Jersey Local No. 3, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and American Legion.

He is survived by his wife, Mildred Wieser, his sister, Marie Polly of Linden, N.J., three sons, Paul Wieser and his wife, LeeAnn of Glendale, Ariz., Richard Wieser and his wife, Debbie of Paramus, N.J., Robert Wieser and his wife, Kelli of Northglenn, Colo., step daughter, Karen Christesen and her husband, Richard of Fairfax Station, Va., step son, James Embree Jr. and his wife, Sue Ellen of Culpeper, grandchildren, Karen Valenti, Kristine DeSario, Scott, Brian, Brett, and Maggie Jean Wieser, step grandchildren, Michael and Jason Christesen, Katie and Michelle Embree, great-grandchildren, Jenna, Julia, and Dustin Jr. Valenti, and step great-grandchild, Leah Christesen, and many beloved nieces, nephews, in-law's and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Thomas J. Wieser, John M. Wieser, Anna Billy, Joseph P. Wieser, Michael Wieser, Stephen Wieser, Elizabeth Wieser, Anthony J. Wieser, and his first wife, Jean Cottington Wieser.

A funeral service was held on Monday, Dec.18, 2006 at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel with Rev. Kenneth Hunnycutt and Rev. Glen Lutz officiating.

Interment followed in Culpeper National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the USS North Carolina Battleship Association, c/o Ms. Bekki Childress, Sec/Trea, 249 Club Circle, Daniels, WV 25832; Bethel Baptist Church, 6262 Hoover Rd., Reva, VA 22735 or Linden Fire Department, 301 North Wood Avenue, Linden, NJ 07036.

An online guestbook is available at www.foundandsons.com