Earnest Eugene Hansley

DR. Earnest E Hansley , a Retired Colonel, who served 33 years in the Army. The son of the late Mr. David Hansley and Mrs Pearlie Mae Hansley. A native of Vidalia Georgia and graduated from Vidalia High School. He enlisted in the US Army, and after a tour of duty in Germany he decided to become an officer. He attended Fort Valley State University and earned an ROTC scholarship. He graduated with honors as a Computer Scientist and received a Regular Army commission into the U.S. Army's Signal Corps.

While serving in Active Duty he was selected to attend college and attain his Master of Science from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey California and later he became the third African American to earn a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of South Florida. He and his fellow researchers were granted a U.S. patent based on their ear biometrics research.

He served with distinction at multiple military installations, in command and staff positions in the United States and overseas during his military career. He culminated his army career at the Pentagon. He is the recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal, Expert Field Medical Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and numerous other military awards and honors.

Upon retirement, Dr. Hansley made Tampa, Fl his residence. He served on the Board of Directors of MacDonald Training Center, Inc. and served as President of McDonald Parents Group. He was a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. He was a member of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Vidalia, Ga.

Left to cherish his memory and share stories about his life are his wife, the former Nilda Echevarria, his daughter Kaila, his sons Paul (Hannah) and Earnest Hansley Jr. His sisters , Martha Brown, Gwen Folson (Lorenzo), Brenda Spivey, Carol Hansley and Nancy Hansley Larzo. His brothers, David Hansley (Cleo) and Michael Hansley (Bea). A host of cousins, nephews and nieces not only in the USA, but also in Puerto Rico.

He was loved by his military brothers and friends that have stayed in touch through his military career and after retirement, and his brothers of the Gamma Eta Sigma Chapter.

A graveside service for Earnest will be held 11 a.m. Friday, August 15, 2025 in Arlington National Cemetery-Fort Myer Chapel, 29 Carpenter Road, Arlington, Virginia 22211. You must arrive one hour early to get checked in at the Visitor Control Center.