Colonel Parris Lee (P.L.) Corley (USAF, Ret.), 85, passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2020, following an extended illness. He was a long-time resident of Montgomery, Alabama and was born on January 11, 1935 in Columbia, South Carolina. He retired as a pilot and financial executive from the United States Air Force after 25 years of decorated service. He then retired as Deputy Commissioner of Finance and Administration from the Department of Human Resources for the State of Alabama in 2012.
He graduated from the University of South Carolina in May 1957, and was commissioned in the United States Air Force. He served as a crew commander on several weapon systems including the KC-135 jet tanker. He served the United States of America during a tour in Vietnam as a C-47 instructor pilot and flight evaluator with the 9th Air Command Squadron. While in the Air Force he graduated from numerous military schools and obtained a Master of Science, School of Accountancy degree from Arizona State University.
He served on the National Board of Directors for Dixie Youth Baseball from 1983 until 2013 and chaired the Scholarship Committee from 1992 until 2012 during which time the number of scholarships awarded grew from 20 recipients to 70. He also served as President of Dixie Baseball, Inc. from 2008 until 2013 and remained an Emeritus member of the board until his passing. He also served the community through volunteer work with groups including the Westside YMCA and United Way. He was bestowed the honor of receiving the Friend of the Youth Award as designated by the Montgomery Downtown Optimist Club. Through this work he was able to positively influence many young people in the River Region. He was known by many as a kind, gentle, and loving man.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Judy Marie Corley of Montgomery, his father Herman W. Corley, his mother Annie Lee Corley, and his brother H. Kenneth Corley, all from Columbia, SC, and his granddaughter Sarah Louise Anthony of Wetumpka, AL.
He is survived by his wife, Laura Ann (Nancy) Corley; sister-in-law Dot Corley of Columbia, SC; brother M. Ralph Corley (Jean) of Columbia, SC; four children, Lisa Anthony (Steve), Joel Corley, Nancy Guilford (Bill) and Jennifer Harris (Dane); step-children Laura Schneider (David); Lacy Holland (Keith) and Matt Munson (Tanner); thirteen grandchildren, Holly Anthony, Samuel Anthony, Lindsey Daugherty (Ron), Alex Guilford (Camilla) of Oslo, Norway, Caroline Guilford, Peyton Harris, Trent Harris, Jordan Harris, Hunter Holland, Kali Holland, Anna Munson, Isabella Munson, Piper Schneider; three great grandchildren, Vada Anthony, Ethan Daugherty and Asher Daugherty. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Montgomery on Thursday, January 23rd at 10:00 a.m. CST. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the Sanctuary at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Brian Miller officiating. Burial with a Military Honor Service will take place following the service at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home in Montgomery.
Pallbearers will be sons in law Steve Anthony, Bill Guilford and Dane Harris; step sons David Schneider, Keith Holland and Matt Munson; grandsons Alex Guilford, Hunter Holland, Trent Harris and Evan Harris.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Aldersgate United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.
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