William Colley

William Leon Colley, Sr. age 75, of Durham, NC, died Friday, October 12, 2012 after a lengthy illness. He was a son of the late James D. and Alice B. Colley. He is survived by his wife, Dottie M. Colley of the home; his son, William L. Colley, Jr. and wife Kim of Durham, NC; and his daughter, Debra Jean Colley Crocker and husband Steve of Easley, SC; three grand daughters, Lindsay Leslie, Ashley Croker and Morgan Blanch Colley; two great grand daughters, Emily and Lauren Leslie; and several cousins. He is also survived by a special friend Mary Lu Brown Gatewood.The graveside service will be conducted at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, October 17, 2012 in Mountain Home National Cemetery with Chaplains Wilbert Fletcher, Jr. and Mark Holland officiating. Mr. Colley will lie in state on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM and on Wednesday from 9:00 until 11:00 AM at Tetrick Funeral Home, Bluff City. Everyone wishing to attend the graveside service will meet at the funeral home at 12:00 PM to go in procession to the cemetery.The family wishes to express their appreciation to the Parkwood Fire Department and various other fire/emergency management agencies in North Carolina, South Carolina and Louisiana and to Duke Hospice for their prayers and support during his illness. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent to the Parkwood Fire Department Cadet Program, P. O. Box 12224, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guestbook. Tetrick Funeral Home, Bluff City, is serving the family. Phone 423-538-7131; obituary line 423-543-4917.