Burley Ray Carpenter

Originally from Parkersburg, WV, he was one of five siblings whom they nicknamed “Tom”.

Burley leaves behind a wife, Mrs. Hilde “Muller” Carpenter, to whom he proposed the very first evening he laid eyes on her over fifty years ago while stationed in Germany. Together, they raised two sons, Thomas J. Carpenter from Hope Mills, NC and Robert D. Carpenter from Severn, MD. Burley also leaves behind three grandchildren, Daniel R. Carpenter, Brenna M. Smith and Stephanie N. Carpenter, as well as one adorable great grandson, Brantley T. Smith.

As a committed service member, Burley served well over 29 years with the US Army, to include a combat tour in Vietnam, and multiple assignments at Fort Bragg, Germany and Korea. Burley had a passion for working on old cars, a hobby he began as a boy while working on his brother’s race cars.

A viewing in Burley’s memory will be held from 6pm to 8pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at Reeves Funeral Home in Hope Mills, NC. Burley will be laid to rest at Sandhills State Veteran’s Cemetery in Spring Lake, NC at 10am on Thursday, August 2, 2012.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to any local animal shelter.