Willis Edward (Ed) Delbridge, Jr., photographer, real estate developer and entrepreneur, died October 21, 2008 in Murfreesboro. He was 77 years of age. Mr. Delbridge was born on January 11, 1931, in Rutherford County, Tennessee, where he lived his entire life. His familys roots in Rutherford County date back to the late 1700s. Mr. Delbridge was christened at the Farris Chapel Methodist Church in the Barfield community. He later transferred his membership to First United Methodist Church, Murfreesboro, in 1949. Mr. Delbridge attended the MTSU Training School, forerunner of the Homer Pittard Campus School, Murfreesboro Central High School and Middle Tennessee State University. While at MTSU, he majored in music with a minor in aviation. He and his wife, Jessica Clara McDonald Delbridge met at MTSU. After founding Delbridge Studio in 1949, Mr. Delbridge joined the Air Force during the Korean conflict during which he served as an aerial photographer. Mr. Delbridge was inducted into the Tennessee Photographers Hall of Fame. In 1958, Mr. and Mrs. Delbridge began developing real estate in Rutherford and Davidson counties, and developed the first off campus housing for MTSU students in the early 1960s. Mr. Delbridge was passionate about Rutherford County and worked diligently to improve the quality of life of its citizens. He was a member of the board of directors of the Murfreesboro Bank and Trust Company, now Sun Trust Bank. He also served as a member of the Rutherford Hospital Board, now Middle Tennessee Medical Center, and was a member of the board of directors of Evergreen Cemetery and Oaklands Historic House Museum. He was also a founding director and former chairman of the Christy-Houston Foundation. An avid supporter of promoting and preserving the history of transportation, Mr. Delbridge was a founder of the Middle Tennessee Antique Automobile Club of America and had an extensive collection of antique automobiles and model trains. His antique automobiles, along with his model trains, were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Delbridge to the Childrens Discovery House Museum for future generations to enjoy. Mr. Delbridge was preceded in death by his parents, Willis Edward (W.E.) Delbridge, Sr. and Katie Delbridge. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jessica Clara McDonald Delbridge, daughters Debbie Delbridge Cope (Jim) of Murfreesboro, Sally Delbridge Coble (Neely III) and Jessica Delbridge Woosley (Lee III), both of Nashville. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Evan Cope (Beth) of Murfreesboro, Ingram Cope, currently serving in the United States Navy and stationed aboard the USS George Washington CVN-73, Neely Coble, IV, Edward Coble, Harry Woosley, IV and Katherine Woosley, all of Nashville. Services will be held on Friday, October 24th at 11:00 am at the First United Methodist Church, Murfreesboro, with internment to follow at Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation with the family will begin on the same day at 10:00 am at the church. Visitation will also take place the night before, Thursday, October 23rd, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. Mr. Delbridges sons-in-law, grandchildren and Mark Travis will serve as pall bearers. Honorary pall bearers are the present and past members of the Christy-Houston Foundation Board of Directors, Jim Arnhart and Bill Webb. Memorials may be made to the Clara and Ed Delbridge Nursing Scholarship Fund at Middle Tennessee Medical Center.