Melvin Eugene Whitley

TUSCALOOSA | Melvin Eugene Whitley, age 81, of Tuscaloosa, died December 24, 2013, at Hospice of West Alabama. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday, December 27, 2013 at Heritage Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Lyle Holland officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Gardens with Heritage Chapel Funeral Home and Cremations, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be Thursday, December 26th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.He was preceded in death by his mother, Martha Jane Trimm Whitley; father, Eulie Whitley; stepmother, Estelle Whitley; infant sister, Peggy Jane Whitley; brothers, Euzelle Whitley, Billy Whitley, James Martin Brown; and grandchildren, Jessica and Jeremy Beasley.He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Ruth T. Whitley; daughters, Darlene Beasley and husband, Tommy, Paula Hearing and husband, Michael; sons, Bill Whitley and wife, Christy, Brian Whitley and wife,Melodi; grandchildren, Sarah, Daniel, Selah and Rachael Whitley, Sam and Anna Watkins, Cody Hearing, Lauren Hearing, Katelin Hearing Olvey and husband, John, and Meisha Hearing Dugger and husband, James; and great-grandson, Landon Beasley.Mel served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Currier from 1952-1955 during the Korean War earning the rank of Ship's Serviceman Petty Officer 1st Class. During his service, Mel was awarded the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Upon completion of his tour of duty, Mel returned to Tuscaloosa and graduated from The University of Alabama with a degree in Commerce and Business Administration. His career in public accounting included several large Public Accounting firms as well as employment as an auditor with General Dynamics Corporation of Fort Worth, Texas and Stromberg Carlson in Rochester, New York. He retired from Gulf States Paper Corporation after 22 years. Following his retirement, he worked as a commercial real estate broker and became an avid golfer. Introducing his grandchildren to golf brought him great pleasure.He was a member of Forest Lake United Methodist Church. Pallbearers are Sam Watkins, Tommy Beasley, Michael Hearing, Cody Hearing, Wayne Trimm and Kenny Whitley.Honorary pallbearers are Mr. and Mrs. Don Townsend, Mrs. Ruby Wade, Mr. and Mrs. Levern Smelley, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Tidmore, Mr. Alvin Tidmore, Gulf States Paper co-workers, Forest Lake Methodist friends, and his Ol' Colony golfing buddies, Paul T. Somers, Paul Gartman, Joe Jones, Parks Burgin, J.C. Sims and Charles Herron. Special thanks to nurses and staff of Hospice of West Alabama for their amazing in-home and in-patient care.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of West Alabama, 3851 Loop Road, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404.Condolences may be offered at www.heritagechapeltuscaloosa.com