George was born March 26, 1937, in Cataula, Georgia to Elder Allan Wade Corley and Mary Kathryn Irvin Corley. He lived in the Columbus area most of his life. He graduated from Hamilton High School in Harris County in 1955. Following high school, he earned progressive degrees in the field of education from Georgia Southwestern, Georgia Southern, and the University of Georgia with post graduate studies at Auburn University. With his education, George went on to be an educator at the elementary, high school and technical school levels. He transitioned to become a high school counselor at Harris County High School where he guided students with their education choices for over twenty years. He retired in 1992 after 30 years of service in education.
While teaching at Manchester High School, he met the love of his life, Margaret Ann Willis. They wed in 1963 and had 62 wonderful years of marriage. He was always dedicated to his family, faith and profession. His ability to be friendly with most anyone was well known, and he will be missed by many. He loved hot dogs and the Atlanta Braves (following in his parents’ footsteps) and always took an opportunity to watch a game.
Besides his parents, George was predeceased by his brother, Carl Wade Corley; and his nephew, Carl Wade Corley, Jr.
George is survived by his wife, Margaret Willis Corley (Roswell, GA); two daughters, Mary Angela Corley Sterchi and her husband, Brady (Johns Creek, GA) and Margaret Allyson Corley (Columbus, GA); two grandchildren: Scott Sterchi and his wife, Annie and their daughter, Juniper (Black Mountain, NC); and Rachel Sterchi and her fiancé Matt Wolfe (New Orleans, LA); sister-in-law Martha Corley (Newnan, GA) and niece Katie Corley Sims and her husband, Matt (Sharpsburg, GA).
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, December 5th from 5:00PM to 7:00PM at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary on 4071 Macon Road in Columbus. Funeral services will be held on December 6th at 11:00 AM, in the Fisher Chapel also at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, followed by a private interment for immediate family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Valley Rescue Mission in Columbus, GA.
