CORLEY – Rev. William C. (W.C.) Corley, Sr., age 91, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, September 8, 2011, surrounded by his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife of 70 years, Sara Dunn Corley on April 26, 2010.
He is survived by five children and spouses; Mr. & Mrs. William C. (Buddy & Johnnie) Corley, Jr., of Lawrenceville, GA, Mr. & Mrs. Gordon (Judith Corley) Kenna of Decatur, GA, Mr. & Mrs. Donn (Jerrie Lynn Corley) Peevy, Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth (Kenny & Kim) Corley all of Lawrenceville, GA, and Mr. & Mrs. Steve (Lisa Corley) Collett of Duluth, GA; eight grandchildren, Melinda Lynn Corley Knyff and her husband Bobby of Lawrenceville, GA, William C. (Chip) Corley, III, and his wife Stephanie of Hoschton, GA, Shannon Peevy Fox and her husband Doug of Atlanta, GA, Holly Peevy Garrison and her husband Jeremy of Buford, GA, Kristy Elmore and her husband Richard, Kara Corley all of Lawrenceville, GA, K. Corley Kenna of Washington, D.C., and Sarah Katherine (Katie) Collett of Duluth, GA, seven great grandchildren, Taylor Garrison, Carson Garrison, Jordan Garrison, Ansley Fox, Peyton Corley, Reagan Corley and Jackson Milligan; one sister, Dr. & Mrs. Rick (Carolyn Corley) Jones of Macon, GA; one brother, Mr. & Mrs. Charles (Grace) Corley of Columbus, GA; several cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of many friends. Rev. Corley was also preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Catherine Corley Moog.
William Chaney Corley (Rev. W.C. Corley, Sr.) was born in Augusta, Georgia, on January 5, 1920, to Addie Lee Sims Corley and Harvey James Corley.
In 1928, when Rev. Corley was only 8 years old, he was called to the ministry. He was a man that never wavered from the path that he was called to perform in life by his Lord and Savior. He attended grade school and high school in Augusta, GA at Woodlawn School and Richmond Academy. He earned an Arts Diploma with Honors from Richmond Academy during the depression years and carried papers for the Augusta Chronicle to pay for his tuition. During his years in high school he preached in the streets and in jails.
Rev. Corley was given the opportunity by his church in Augusta to begin his college career in 1938 at the Toccoa Falls Bible Institute. He was there from 1938-39 where his expenses were paid through a N.Y.A. Scholarship. While at Toccoa Falls, he met the love of his life, Sara Dunn Corley of Smyrna, GA, who did not waver from her "calling" to be "a perfect minister's wife." On July 19, 1940, he married Sara Jane Dunn. Two weeks after their marriage they were baptized together at the First Baptist Church of Smyrna. With Sara Dunn Corley now beside him, he attended the University of Georgia – Extension Center in Atlanta, GA from 1940-41 where he paid his expenses by working with Southeastern Optical Co. (now Bausch and Lomb Optical Co). He was enrolled at Mercer University in Macon, GA, from 1941-43 where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in English and minor in History. During this time at Mercer he continued working with the Bausch and Lomb Optical Co., in Macon, GA. On September 25, 1942 he was ordained as a Baptist Minister at the Lizella Baptist Church, Lizella, GA. He was the only minister to be ordained from that church and a pew was given in his honor.
The next educational journey took the Corley's to the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY from 1943-47 where Rev. Corley obtained a Master Degree in Theology. He maintained a grade point average of 91 plus for the four years he was there while doing extensive study in Hebrew and Greek, and also working with Ball Optical Co. Rev. Corley's advance studies were remarkable including two years of study of the Hebrew Language at Hebrew Temple in Rome, GA; Pastoral Ministry, Georgia Baptist Hospital, Atlanta, GA; Continuing Theological Education Conferences; Furman University Pastors School, and attended hands on study with patients at Methodist Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi.
Besides Lizella Baptist Church in Lizella, GA, Rev. Corley's other student Pastorates included Montrose Baptist Church, Montrose, GA, Viney Fork Baptist Church, Richmond, KY, and then was called to the oldest Baptist Church in Kentucky, the Cedar Creek Baptist Church, Bardstown, KY. In 1947, he was called to Pastor at Hohenwald Baptist Church, Hohenwald, Tennessee until 1949. From 1949-53 he was Pastor of the Sparta Baptist Church, Sparta, GA. Rev. Corley was then called to Pastor at the First Baptist Church, Rockmart, GA from 1953-59 where, under his leadership, the church completed a $225,000 Building Program. The Corley's dream began in September of 1959, when the Chairman of the Pulpit Search Committee of the First Baptist Church of Lawrenceville called and asked if the committee members could come to Rockmart to worship with them on Sunday morning. The Search Committee related to Rev. & Mrs. Corley, after the service, that they turned to them because Rev. Corley had just successfully completed a building program, in which he engineered the planning and raising the money for the building, and the First Baptist Church of Lawrenceville needed the same since their buildings were in a state of disrepair. So began an amazing 25 years of commitment to not only the church, but to the community at large in Lawrenceville and Gwinnett County, Georgia.
Rev. Corley's civic dedication over the years represented his total commitment to serving his fellow man. Member of Lions Club, 1949-53, Sparta, GA where he was Vice President of the Club from 1952-53; Member of Masonic Lodge, 1949-53, Sparta, GA; Scottish Rite 320 Mason, Macon, GA in 1950 and the Shrine, Al Sihah Temple as well; Chaplain of Grand Lodge of Masons of State of Georgia three times in 1951, 1955 and 1967; Member of Rotary Club, Rockmart, GA, 1953-59 and on Board of Directors in 1952; Chairman of Roll-Call Committee of American Red Cross, Sparta, GA Chapter in 1952; Member of Masonic Lodge, Rockmart, GA, 1953-59; Chairman of Heart Fund in 1954 in Rockmart, GA; and Chairman of the Committee to raise funds to pay off the indebtedness incurred in first year of operation of the Rockmart-Aragon Hospital in 1956.
Once Rev. Corley arrived in Lawrenceville, GA in 1959 he began his service to the community and it continued for over 25 years. Member of Kiwanis Club, 1959-79; Member of Masonic Lodge 1959-2011; Member of Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce, 1966-2011; Chaplain for the Central Gwinnett High School Football Team for thirteen years starting in 1970; Chairman of Board of Directors of Hi-Hope Center, 1976-79 and again member of the Board of Directors of Hi-Hope center since 1985; Citizen of the Year Award, Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce in 1977; Member of Board of Directors Gwinnett/Rockdale/Newton County Mental Health Services; Member of Hospital Advisory Board of Gwinnett Medical Center; Member of the Board of Atlanta Regional Commission, Council on Aging for Gwinnett County; Member of Rotary Club of Gwinnett County; and Member of Advisory Committee for United Way in Gwinnett County. In January of 1986.
Rev. Corley was given a Life Membership in the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce for "outstanding leadership in the Chamber and in Gwinnett County"; and served on Chaplain's Advisory Board to set up a fulltime interdenominational Chaplaincy Program for Gwinnett Medical Center.
On January 1, 1985, Rev. Corley retired as the Senior Pastor of Lawrenceville First Baptist Church and opened Gwinnett Counseling Service. He also served Plant Counselor for Plastic Packaging, Inc. from November 1985 to August 12, 1988. Rev. Corley also served as the Chaplain/Counselor at Annandale for 10 years being involved in initiating and building an All Faiths Chapel at Annandale.
On September 19, 1993, the Rockmart First Baptist Church, where Rev. Corley served as Pastor from 1952-1959 celebrated his fifty-two years in the Christian Ministry. Representatives of former churches and civic organizations that he had served were there to speak at the morning worship service, as well as, former members and friends from all over the State of Georgia. The church presented Rev. Corley with a beautiful plaque and a book of letters to commemorate his 52 years of service in the ministry.
On April 6, 1995, The Annandale Village, a home for mildly handicapped adults for whom Rev. Corley served for eleven years as Chaplain/Counselor built a Chapel and named it "The Corley Chapel." At this celebration service a plaque was presented to Rev. Corley for his dedicated service to Annandale.
On May 2, 1999, the Lawrenceville First Baptist Church where Rev. Corley was Pastor for twenty-five celebrated their sesquicentennial. In the morning worship service, after Rev. Corley spoke, the Chairman of the Deacons, and then Pastor, Dr. Lamar Holley, presented Rev. Corley with a plaque naming him Pastor Emeritus of the Lawrenceville First Baptist Church. Rev. W.C. Corley, Sr. and his wife of 70 years, Sara Dunn Corley, built a true loving partnership in life and in their ministry to people of all walks of life. What an amazing couple they were and how many lives were impacted by the Corley's.
Rev. Corley was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend to so many people across this state. "W.C." will be greatly missed by his family and everyone that knew this gentle, kind man of God.
The Service Celebrating the Life of Rev. Corley will be held Sunday, September 11, 2011, at 3:00 P.M. at the Lawrenceville First Baptist Church with Rev. Inman J. Houston officiating and Speakers Mr. Donn Peevy, Mr. David McCleskey, and Mr. Jim Sosebee. Interment Gwinnett Memorial Park. Members of the Edgar Couch Sunday School Class and Lawrenceville Rotary Club will serve as Honorary Escorts.
Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, "A FAMILY COMPANY", Lawrenceville Chapel 770-963-2411 has been entrusted with the arrangements.
The obituary was provided by the funeral home.
He was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife of 70 years, Sara Dunn Corley on April 26, 2010.
He is survived by five children and spouses; Mr. & Mrs. William C. (Buddy & Johnnie) Corley, Jr., of Lawrenceville, GA, Mr. & Mrs. Gordon (Judith Corley) Kenna of Decatur, GA, Mr. & Mrs. Donn (Jerrie Lynn Corley) Peevy, Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth (Kenny & Kim) Corley all of Lawrenceville, GA, and Mr. & Mrs. Steve (Lisa Corley) Collett of Duluth, GA; eight grandchildren, Melinda Lynn Corley Knyff and her husband Bobby of Lawrenceville, GA, William C. (Chip) Corley, III, and his wife Stephanie of Hoschton, GA, Shannon Peevy Fox and her husband Doug of Atlanta, GA, Holly Peevy Garrison and her husband Jeremy of Buford, GA, Kristy Elmore and her husband Richard, Kara Corley all of Lawrenceville, GA, K. Corley Kenna of Washington, D.C., and Sarah Katherine (Katie) Collett of Duluth, GA, seven great grandchildren, Taylor Garrison, Carson Garrison, Jordan Garrison, Ansley Fox, Peyton Corley, Reagan Corley and Jackson Milligan; one sister, Dr. & Mrs. Rick (Carolyn Corley) Jones of Macon, GA; one brother, Mr. & Mrs. Charles (Grace) Corley of Columbus, GA; several cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of many friends. Rev. Corley was also preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Catherine Corley Moog.
William Chaney Corley (Rev. W.C. Corley, Sr.) was born in Augusta, Georgia, on January 5, 1920, to Addie Lee Sims Corley and Harvey James Corley.
In 1928, when Rev. Corley was only 8 years old, he was called to the ministry. He was a man that never wavered from the path that he was called to perform in life by his Lord and Savior. He attended grade school and high school in Augusta, GA at Woodlawn School and Richmond Academy. He earned an Arts Diploma with Honors from Richmond Academy during the depression years and carried papers for the Augusta Chronicle to pay for his tuition. During his years in high school he preached in the streets and in jails.
Rev. Corley was given the opportunity by his church in Augusta to begin his college career in 1938 at the Toccoa Falls Bible Institute. He was there from 1938-39 where his expenses were paid through a N.Y.A. Scholarship. While at Toccoa Falls, he met the love of his life, Sara Dunn Corley of Smyrna, GA, who did not waver from her "calling" to be "a perfect minister's wife." On July 19, 1940, he married Sara Jane Dunn. Two weeks after their marriage they were baptized together at the First Baptist Church of Smyrna. With Sara Dunn Corley now beside him, he attended the University of Georgia – Extension Center in Atlanta, GA from 1940-41 where he paid his expenses by working with Southeastern Optical Co. (now Bausch and Lomb Optical Co). He was enrolled at Mercer University in Macon, GA, from 1941-43 where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in English and minor in History. During this time at Mercer he continued working with the Bausch and Lomb Optical Co., in Macon, GA. On September 25, 1942 he was ordained as a Baptist Minister at the Lizella Baptist Church, Lizella, GA. He was the only minister to be ordained from that church and a pew was given in his honor.
The next educational journey took the Corley's to the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY from 1943-47 where Rev. Corley obtained a Master Degree in Theology. He maintained a grade point average of 91 plus for the four years he was there while doing extensive study in Hebrew and Greek, and also working with Ball Optical Co. Rev. Corley's advance studies were remarkable including two years of study of the Hebrew Language at Hebrew Temple in Rome, GA; Pastoral Ministry, Georgia Baptist Hospital, Atlanta, GA; Continuing Theological Education Conferences; Furman University Pastors School, and attended hands on study with patients at Methodist Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi.
Besides Lizella Baptist Church in Lizella, GA, Rev. Corley's other student Pastorates included Montrose Baptist Church, Montrose, GA, Viney Fork Baptist Church, Richmond, KY, and then was called to the oldest Baptist Church in Kentucky, the Cedar Creek Baptist Church, Bardstown, KY. In 1947, he was called to Pastor at Hohenwald Baptist Church, Hohenwald, Tennessee until 1949. From 1949-53 he was Pastor of the Sparta Baptist Church, Sparta, GA. Rev. Corley was then called to Pastor at the First Baptist Church, Rockmart, GA from 1953-59 where, under his leadership, the church completed a $225,000 Building Program. The Corley's dream began in September of 1959, when the Chairman of the Pulpit Search Committee of the First Baptist Church of Lawrenceville called and asked if the committee members could come to Rockmart to worship with them on Sunday morning. The Search Committee related to Rev. & Mrs. Corley, after the service, that they turned to them because Rev. Corley had just successfully completed a building program, in which he engineered the planning and raising the money for the building, and the First Baptist Church of Lawrenceville needed the same since their buildings were in a state of disrepair. So began an amazing 25 years of commitment to not only the church, but to the community at large in Lawrenceville and Gwinnett County, Georgia.
Rev. Corley's civic dedication over the years represented his total commitment to serving his fellow man. Member of Lions Club, 1949-53, Sparta, GA where he was Vice President of the Club from 1952-53; Member of Masonic Lodge, 1949-53, Sparta, GA; Scottish Rite 320 Mason, Macon, GA in 1950 and the Shrine, Al Sihah Temple as well; Chaplain of Grand Lodge of Masons of State of Georgia three times in 1951, 1955 and 1967; Member of Rotary Club, Rockmart, GA, 1953-59 and on Board of Directors in 1952; Chairman of Roll-Call Committee of American Red Cross, Sparta, GA Chapter in 1952; Member of Masonic Lodge, Rockmart, GA, 1953-59; Chairman of Heart Fund in 1954 in Rockmart, GA; and Chairman of the Committee to raise funds to pay off the indebtedness incurred in first year of operation of the Rockmart-Aragon Hospital in 1956.
Once Rev. Corley arrived in Lawrenceville, GA in 1959 he began his service to the community and it continued for over 25 years. Member of Kiwanis Club, 1959-79; Member of Masonic Lodge 1959-2011; Member of Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce, 1966-2011; Chaplain for the Central Gwinnett High School Football Team for thirteen years starting in 1970; Chairman of Board of Directors of Hi-Hope Center, 1976-79 and again member of the Board of Directors of Hi-Hope center since 1985; Citizen of the Year Award, Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce in 1977; Member of Board of Directors Gwinnett/Rockdale/Newton County Mental Health Services; Member of Hospital Advisory Board of Gwinnett Medical Center; Member of the Board of Atlanta Regional Commission, Council on Aging for Gwinnett County; Member of Rotary Club of Gwinnett County; and Member of Advisory Committee for United Way in Gwinnett County. In January of 1986.
Rev. Corley was given a Life Membership in the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce for "outstanding leadership in the Chamber and in Gwinnett County"; and served on Chaplain's Advisory Board to set up a fulltime interdenominational Chaplaincy Program for Gwinnett Medical Center.
On January 1, 1985, Rev. Corley retired as the Senior Pastor of Lawrenceville First Baptist Church and opened Gwinnett Counseling Service. He also served Plant Counselor for Plastic Packaging, Inc. from November 1985 to August 12, 1988. Rev. Corley also served as the Chaplain/Counselor at Annandale for 10 years being involved in initiating and building an All Faiths Chapel at Annandale.
On September 19, 1993, the Rockmart First Baptist Church, where Rev. Corley served as Pastor from 1952-1959 celebrated his fifty-two years in the Christian Ministry. Representatives of former churches and civic organizations that he had served were there to speak at the morning worship service, as well as, former members and friends from all over the State of Georgia. The church presented Rev. Corley with a beautiful plaque and a book of letters to commemorate his 52 years of service in the ministry.
On April 6, 1995, The Annandale Village, a home for mildly handicapped adults for whom Rev. Corley served for eleven years as Chaplain/Counselor built a Chapel and named it "The Corley Chapel." At this celebration service a plaque was presented to Rev. Corley for his dedicated service to Annandale.
On May 2, 1999, the Lawrenceville First Baptist Church where Rev. Corley was Pastor for twenty-five celebrated their sesquicentennial. In the morning worship service, after Rev. Corley spoke, the Chairman of the Deacons, and then Pastor, Dr. Lamar Holley, presented Rev. Corley with a plaque naming him Pastor Emeritus of the Lawrenceville First Baptist Church. Rev. W.C. Corley, Sr. and his wife of 70 years, Sara Dunn Corley, built a true loving partnership in life and in their ministry to people of all walks of life. What an amazing couple they were and how many lives were impacted by the Corley's.
Rev. Corley was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend to so many people across this state. "W.C." will be greatly missed by his family and everyone that knew this gentle, kind man of God.
The Service Celebrating the Life of Rev. Corley will be held Sunday, September 11, 2011, at 3:00 P.M. at the Lawrenceville First Baptist Church with Rev. Inman J. Houston officiating and Speakers Mr. Donn Peevy, Mr. David McCleskey, and Mr. Jim Sosebee. Interment Gwinnett Memorial Park. Members of the Edgar Couch Sunday School Class and Lawrenceville Rotary Club will serve as Honorary Escorts.
Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, "A FAMILY COMPANY", Lawrenceville Chapel 770-963-2411 has been entrusted with the arrangements.
The obituary was provided by the funeral home.
CORLEY – Rev. William C. (W.C.) Corley, Sr., age 91, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, September 8, 2011, surrounded by his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife of 70 years, Sara Dunn Corley on April 26, 2010.
He is survived by five children and spouses; Mr. & Mrs. William C. (Buddy & Johnnie) Corley, Jr., of Lawrenceville, GA, Mr. & Mrs. Gordon (Judith Corley) Kenna of Decatur, GA, Mr. & Mrs. Donn (Jerrie Lynn Corley) Peevy, Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth (Kenny & Kim) Corley all of Lawrenceville, GA, and Mr. & Mrs. Steve (Lisa Corley) Collett of Duluth, GA; eight grandchildren, Melinda Lynn Corley Knyff and her husband Bobby of Lawrenceville, GA, William C. (Chip) Corley, III, and his wife Stephanie of Hoschton, GA, Shannon Peevy Fox and her husband Doug of Atlanta, GA, Holly Peevy Garrison and her husband Jeremy of Buford, GA, Kristy Elmore and her husband Richard, Kara Corley all of Lawrenceville, GA, K. Corley Kenna of Washington, D.C., and Sarah Katherine (Katie) Collett of Duluth, GA, seven great grandchildren, Taylor Garrison, Carson Garrison, Jordan Garrison, Ansley Fox, Peyton Corley, Reagan Corley and Jackson Milligan; one sister, Dr. & Mrs. Rick (Carolyn Corley) Jones of Macon, GA; one brother, Mr. & Mrs. Charles (Grace) Corley of Columbus, GA; several cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of many friends. Rev. Corley was also preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Catherine Corley Moog.
William Chaney Corley (Rev. W.C. Corley, Sr.) was born in Augusta, Georgia, on January 5, 1920, to Addie Lee Sims Corley and Harvey James Corley.
In 1928, when Rev. Corley was only 8 years old, he was called to the ministry. He was a man that never wavered from the path that he was called to perform in life by his Lord and Savior. He attended grade school and high school in Augusta, GA at Woodlawn School and Richmond Academy. He earned an Arts Diploma with Honors from Richmond Academy during the depression years and carried papers for the Augusta Chronicle to pay for his tuition. During his years in high school he preached in the streets and in jails.
Rev. Corley was given the opportunity by his church in Augusta to begin his college career in 1938 at the Toccoa Falls Bible Institute. He was there from 1938-39 where his expenses were paid through a N.Y.A. Scholarship. While at Toccoa Falls, he met the love of his life, Sara Dunn Corley of Smyrna, GA, who did not waver from her "calling" to be "a perfect minister's wife." On July 19, 1940, he married Sara Jane Dunn. Two weeks after their marriage they were baptized together at the First Baptist Church of Smyrna. With Sara Dunn Corley now beside him, he attended the University of Georgia – Extension Center in Atlanta, GA from 1940-41 where he paid his expenses by working with Southeastern Optical Co. (now Bausch and Lomb Optical Co). He was enrolled at Mercer University in Macon, GA, from 1941-43 where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in English and minor in History. During this time at Mercer he continued working with the Bausch and Lomb Optical Co., in Macon, GA. On September 25, 1942 he was ordained as a Baptist Minister at the Lizella Baptist Church, Lizella, GA. He was the only minister to be ordained from that church and a pew was given in his honor.
The next educational journey took the Corley's to the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY from 1943-47 where Rev. Corley obtained a Master Degree in Theology. He maintained a grade point average of 91 plus for the four years he was there while doing extensive study in Hebrew and Greek, and also working with Ball Optical Co. Rev. Corley's advance studies were remarkable including two years of study of the Hebrew Language at Hebrew Temple in Rome, GA; Pastoral Ministry, Georgia Baptist Hospital, Atlanta, GA; Continuing Theological Education Conferences; Furman University Pastors School, and attended hands on study with patients at Methodist Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi.
Besides Lizella Baptist Church in Lizella, GA, Rev. Corley's other student Pastorates included Montrose Baptist Church, Montrose, GA, Viney Fork Baptist Church, Richmond, KY, and then was called to the oldest Baptist Church in Kentucky, the Cedar Creek Baptist Church, Bardstown, KY. In 1947, he was called to Pastor at Hohenwald Baptist Church, Hohenwald, Tennessee until 1949. From 1949-53 he was Pastor of the Sparta Baptist Church, Sparta, GA. Rev. Corley was then called to Pastor at the First Baptist Church, Rockmart, GA from 1953-59 where, under his leadership, the church completed a $225,000 Building Program. The Corley's dream began in September of 1959, when the Chairman of the Pulpit Search Committee of the First Baptist Church of Lawrenceville called and asked if the committee members could come to Rockmart to worship with them on Sunday morning. The Search Committee related to Rev. & Mrs. Corley, after the service, that they turned to them because Rev. Corley had just successfully completed a building program, in which he engineered the planning and raising the money for the building, and the First Baptist Church of Lawrenceville needed the same since their buildings were in a state of disrepair. So began an amazing 25 years of commitment to not only the church, but to the community at large in Lawrenceville and Gwinnett County, Georgia.
Rev. Corley's civic dedication over the years represented his total commitment to serving his fellow man. Member of Lions Club, 1949-53, Sparta, GA where he was Vice President of the Club from 1952-53; Member of Masonic Lodge, 1949-53, Sparta, GA; Scottish Rite 320 Mason, Macon, GA in 1950 and the Shrine, Al Sihah Temple as well; Chaplain of Grand Lodge of Masons of State of Georgia three times in 1951, 1955 and 1967; Member of Rotary Club, Rockmart, GA, 1953-59 and on Board of Directors in 1952; Chairman of Roll-Call Committee of American Red Cross, Sparta, GA Chapter in 1952; Member of Masonic Lodge, Rockmart, GA, 1953-59; Chairman of Heart Fund in 1954 in Rockmart, GA; and Chairman of the Committee to raise funds to pay off the indebtedness incurred in first year of operation of the Rockmart-Aragon Hospital in 1956.
Once Rev. Corley arrived in Lawrenceville, GA in 1959 he began his service to the community and it continued for over 25 years. Member of Kiwanis Club, 1959-79; Member of Masonic Lodge 1959-2011; Member of Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce, 1966-2011; Chaplain for the Central Gwinnett High School Football Team for thirteen years starting in 1970; Chairman of Board of Directors of Hi-Hope Center, 1976-79 and again member of the Board of Directors of Hi-Hope center since 1985; Citizen of the Year Award, Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce in 1977; Member of Board of Directors Gwinnett/Rockdale/Newton County Mental Health Services; Member of Hospital Advisory Board of Gwinnett Medical Center; Member of the Board of Atlanta Regional Commission, Council on Aging for Gwinnett County; Member of Rotary Club of Gwinnett County; and Member of Advisory Committee for United Way in Gwinnett County. In January of 1986.
Rev. Corley was given a Life Membership in the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce for "outstanding leadership in the Chamber and in Gwinnett County"; and served on Chaplain's Advisory Board to set up a fulltime interdenominational Chaplaincy Program for Gwinnett Medical Center.
On January 1, 1985, Rev. Corley retired as the Senior Pastor of Lawrenceville First Baptist Church and opened Gwinnett Counseling Service. He also served Plant Counselor for Plastic Packaging, Inc. from November 1985 to August 12, 1988. Rev. Corley also served as the Chaplain/Counselor at Annandale for 10 years being involved in initiating and building an All Faiths Chapel at Annandale.
On September 19, 1993, the Rockmart First Baptist Church, where Rev. Corley served as Pastor from 1952-1959 celebrated his fifty-two years in the Christian Ministry. Representatives of former churches and civic organizations that he had served were there to speak at the morning worship service, as well as, former members and friends from all over the State of Georgia. The church presented Rev. Corley with a beautiful plaque and a book of letters to commemorate his 52 years of service in the ministry.
On April 6, 1995, The Annandale Village, a home for mildly handicapped adults for whom Rev. Corley served for eleven years as Chaplain/Counselor built a Chapel and named it "The Corley Chapel." At this celebration service a plaque was presented to Rev. Corley for his dedicated service to Annandale.
On May 2, 1999, the Lawrenceville First Baptist Church where Rev. Corley was Pastor for twenty-five celebrated their sesquicentennial. In the morning worship service, after Rev. Corley spoke, the Chairman of the Deacons, and then Pastor, Dr. Lamar Holley, presented Rev. Corley with a plaque naming him Pastor Emeritus of the Lawrenceville First Baptist Church. Rev. W.C. Corley, Sr. and his wife of 70 years, Sara Dunn Corley, built a true loving partnership in life and in their ministry to people of all walks of life. What an amazing couple they were and how many lives were impacted by the Corley's.
Rev. Corley was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend to so many people across this state. "W.C." will be greatly missed by his family and everyone that knew this gentle, kind man of God.
The Service Celebrating the Life of Rev. Corley will be held Sunday, September 11, 2011, at 3:00 P.M. at the Lawrenceville First Baptist Church with Rev. Inman J. Houston officiating and Speakers Mr. Donn Peevy, Mr. David McCleskey, and Mr. Jim Sosebee. Interment Gwinnett Memorial Park. Members of the Edgar Couch Sunday School Class and Lawrenceville Rotary Club will serve as Honorary Escorts.
Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, "A FAMILY COMPANY", Lawrenceville Chapel 770-963-2411 has been entrusted with the arrangements.
The obituary was provided by the funeral home.
He was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife of 70 years, Sara Dunn Corley on April 26, 2010.
He is survived by five children and spouses; Mr. & Mrs. William C. (Buddy & Johnnie) Corley, Jr., of Lawrenceville, GA, Mr. & Mrs. Gordon (Judith Corley) Kenna of Decatur, GA, Mr. & Mrs. Donn (Jerrie Lynn Corley) Peevy, Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth (Kenny & Kim) Corley all of Lawrenceville, GA, and Mr. & Mrs. Steve (Lisa Corley) Collett of Duluth, GA; eight grandchildren, Melinda Lynn Corley Knyff and her husband Bobby of Lawrenceville, GA, William C. (Chip) Corley, III, and his wife Stephanie of Hoschton, GA, Shannon Peevy Fox and her husband Doug of Atlanta, GA, Holly Peevy Garrison and her husband Jeremy of Buford, GA, Kristy Elmore and her husband Richard, Kara Corley all of Lawrenceville, GA, K. Corley Kenna of Washington, D.C., and Sarah Katherine (Katie) Collett of Duluth, GA, seven great grandchildren, Taylor Garrison, Carson Garrison, Jordan Garrison, Ansley Fox, Peyton Corley, Reagan Corley and Jackson Milligan; one sister, Dr. & Mrs. Rick (Carolyn Corley) Jones of Macon, GA; one brother, Mr. & Mrs. Charles (Grace) Corley of Columbus, GA; several cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of many friends. Rev. Corley was also preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Catherine Corley Moog.
William Chaney Corley (Rev. W.C. Corley, Sr.) was born in Augusta, Georgia, on January 5, 1920, to Addie Lee Sims Corley and Harvey James Corley.
In 1928, when Rev. Corley was only 8 years old, he was called to the ministry. He was a man that never wavered from the path that he was called to perform in life by his Lord and Savior. He attended grade school and high school in Augusta, GA at Woodlawn School and Richmond Academy. He earned an Arts Diploma with Honors from Richmond Academy during the depression years and carried papers for the Augusta Chronicle to pay for his tuition. During his years in high school he preached in the streets and in jails.
Rev. Corley was given the opportunity by his church in Augusta to begin his college career in 1938 at the Toccoa Falls Bible Institute. He was there from 1938-39 where his expenses were paid through a N.Y.A. Scholarship. While at Toccoa Falls, he met the love of his life, Sara Dunn Corley of Smyrna, GA, who did not waver from her "calling" to be "a perfect minister's wife." On July 19, 1940, he married Sara Jane Dunn. Two weeks after their marriage they were baptized together at the First Baptist Church of Smyrna. With Sara Dunn Corley now beside him, he attended the University of Georgia – Extension Center in Atlanta, GA from 1940-41 where he paid his expenses by working with Southeastern Optical Co. (now Bausch and Lomb Optical Co). He was enrolled at Mercer University in Macon, GA, from 1941-43 where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in English and minor in History. During this time at Mercer he continued working with the Bausch and Lomb Optical Co., in Macon, GA. On September 25, 1942 he was ordained as a Baptist Minister at the Lizella Baptist Church, Lizella, GA. He was the only minister to be ordained from that church and a pew was given in his honor.
The next educational journey took the Corley's to the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY from 1943-47 where Rev. Corley obtained a Master Degree in Theology. He maintained a grade point average of 91 plus for the four years he was there while doing extensive study in Hebrew and Greek, and also working with Ball Optical Co. Rev. Corley's advance studies were remarkable including two years of study of the Hebrew Language at Hebrew Temple in Rome, GA; Pastoral Ministry, Georgia Baptist Hospital, Atlanta, GA; Continuing Theological Education Conferences; Furman University Pastors School, and attended hands on study with patients at Methodist Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi.
Besides Lizella Baptist Church in Lizella, GA, Rev. Corley's other student Pastorates included Montrose Baptist Church, Montrose, GA, Viney Fork Baptist Church, Richmond, KY, and then was called to the oldest Baptist Church in Kentucky, the Cedar Creek Baptist Church, Bardstown, KY. In 1947, he was called to Pastor at Hohenwald Baptist Church, Hohenwald, Tennessee until 1949. From 1949-53 he was Pastor of the Sparta Baptist Church, Sparta, GA. Rev. Corley was then called to Pastor at the First Baptist Church, Rockmart, GA from 1953-59 where, under his leadership, the church completed a $225,000 Building Program. The Corley's dream began in September of 1959, when the Chairman of the Pulpit Search Committee of the First Baptist Church of Lawrenceville called and asked if the committee members could come to Rockmart to worship with them on Sunday morning. The Search Committee related to Rev. & Mrs. Corley, after the service, that they turned to them because Rev. Corley had just successfully completed a building program, in which he engineered the planning and raising the money for the building, and the First Baptist Church of Lawrenceville needed the same since their buildings were in a state of disrepair. So began an amazing 25 years of commitment to not only the church, but to the community at large in Lawrenceville and Gwinnett County, Georgia.
Rev. Corley's civic dedication over the years represented his total commitment to serving his fellow man. Member of Lions Club, 1949-53, Sparta, GA where he was Vice President of the Club from 1952-53; Member of Masonic Lodge, 1949-53, Sparta, GA; Scottish Rite 320 Mason, Macon, GA in 1950 and the Shrine, Al Sihah Temple as well; Chaplain of Grand Lodge of Masons of State of Georgia three times in 1951, 1955 and 1967; Member of Rotary Club, Rockmart, GA, 1953-59 and on Board of Directors in 1952; Chairman of Roll-Call Committee of American Red Cross, Sparta, GA Chapter in 1952; Member of Masonic Lodge, Rockmart, GA, 1953-59; Chairman of Heart Fund in 1954 in Rockmart, GA; and Chairman of the Committee to raise funds to pay off the indebtedness incurred in first year of operation of the Rockmart-Aragon Hospital in 1956.
Once Rev. Corley arrived in Lawrenceville, GA in 1959 he began his service to the community and it continued for over 25 years. Member of Kiwanis Club, 1959-79; Member of Masonic Lodge 1959-2011; Member of Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce, 1966-2011; Chaplain for the Central Gwinnett High School Football Team for thirteen years starting in 1970; Chairman of Board of Directors of Hi-Hope Center, 1976-79 and again member of the Board of Directors of Hi-Hope center since 1985; Citizen of the Year Award, Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce in 1977; Member of Board of Directors Gwinnett/Rockdale/Newton County Mental Health Services; Member of Hospital Advisory Board of Gwinnett Medical Center; Member of the Board of Atlanta Regional Commission, Council on Aging for Gwinnett County; Member of Rotary Club of Gwinnett County; and Member of Advisory Committee for United Way in Gwinnett County. In January of 1986.
Rev. Corley was given a Life Membership in the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce for "outstanding leadership in the Chamber and in Gwinnett County"; and served on Chaplain's Advisory Board to set up a fulltime interdenominational Chaplaincy Program for Gwinnett Medical Center.
On January 1, 1985, Rev. Corley retired as the Senior Pastor of Lawrenceville First Baptist Church and opened Gwinnett Counseling Service. He also served Plant Counselor for Plastic Packaging, Inc. from November 1985 to August 12, 1988. Rev. Corley also served as the Chaplain/Counselor at Annandale for 10 years being involved in initiating and building an All Faiths Chapel at Annandale.
On September 19, 1993, the Rockmart First Baptist Church, where Rev. Corley served as Pastor from 1952-1959 celebrated his fifty-two years in the Christian Ministry. Representatives of former churches and civic organizations that he had served were there to speak at the morning worship service, as well as, former members and friends from all over the State of Georgia. The church presented Rev. Corley with a beautiful plaque and a book of letters to commemorate his 52 years of service in the ministry.
On April 6, 1995, The Annandale Village, a home for mildly handicapped adults for whom Rev. Corley served for eleven years as Chaplain/Counselor built a Chapel and named it "The Corley Chapel." At this celebration service a plaque was presented to Rev. Corley for his dedicated service to Annandale.
On May 2, 1999, the Lawrenceville First Baptist Church where Rev. Corley was Pastor for twenty-five celebrated their sesquicentennial. In the morning worship service, after Rev. Corley spoke, the Chairman of the Deacons, and then Pastor, Dr. Lamar Holley, presented Rev. Corley with a plaque naming him Pastor Emeritus of the Lawrenceville First Baptist Church. Rev. W.C. Corley, Sr. and his wife of 70 years, Sara Dunn Corley, built a true loving partnership in life and in their ministry to people of all walks of life. What an amazing couple they were and how many lives were impacted by the Corley's.
Rev. Corley was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend to so many people across this state. "W.C." will be greatly missed by his family and everyone that knew this gentle, kind man of God.
The Service Celebrating the Life of Rev. Corley will be held Sunday, September 11, 2011, at 3:00 P.M. at the Lawrenceville First Baptist Church with Rev. Inman J. Houston officiating and Speakers Mr. Donn Peevy, Mr. David McCleskey, and Mr. Jim Sosebee. Interment Gwinnett Memorial Park. Members of the Edgar Couch Sunday School Class and Lawrenceville Rotary Club will serve as Honorary Escorts.
Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, "A FAMILY COMPANY", Lawrenceville Chapel 770-963-2411 has been entrusted with the arrangements.
The obituary was provided by the funeral home.
Family Members
Spouse
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
