Ernest Lee Croley

Ernest Lee Croley, 97, of Oak Ridge, TN and formerly of Williamsburg, departed this life on Friday, August 3, 2018 at the Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge.

He was born on June 18, 1921 in Rockholds, to the late W.C. Croley and Cynthia Steely Croley.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his siblings, Marie Bryant, Myrtle Prewitt, Arnold Croley, Fannie Hatcher and Paul K. Croley.

Ernest served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to November 1945. He served in Naple Foggia, Rome, Arno and Po Valley as a fire control instrument operator in Field Artillery, Battery D 360th Anti-aircraft artillery, Automatic Weapons Battalion and situations including North Africa and European fronts.

Ernest was a sheet metal fabricator at Y-12 plant in Oak Ridge, TN for over 35 years.

He was skilled at his job and worked on many big projects for Union Carbide and Martin Marietta. He retired in 1985.

He is survived by his loving wife of over 69 years, Doris Miller Croley of Oak Ridge; two daughters, Cynthia Nell Shelfer (Perry) of Vista Rica, GA and Janice Leigh Bailey (Jeffrey) of Clinton, TN; five grandchildren, Rebecca Marshall (John), Kimberly Prevo (Eric), Stephanie Lopez (Joey), Megan Gill (Brandon) and Grant Bailey (Michelle); ten great grandchildren, Brook Thomas, Allie, and Braden Marshall, Andrew and Addie Prevo, Sienna and Zephyr Lopez, Ruby and Lucy Bailey and McKenzie Keaton; one great-great granddaughter, Parker Richards; sister, Elizabeth Richardson of Williamsburg; many nieces and nephews; and a host of other family and friends to mourn his passing.

The family will gather for visitation from 10:00 A.M. until the funeral hour on Monday, August 6, 2018 at the Robertsville Baptist Church in Oak Ridge.

The funeral service was held Monday, August 6, at the Robertsville Baptist Church with Rev. Robert Elliott and Rev. Brian Scott officiating.

Following the service he was laid to rest in the Oak Ridge Memorial Park.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.croleyfuneralhome.com

Croley Funeral Home of Williamsburg, was in charge of all arrangements, Jerry W. Croley and J. Andrew Croley, Directors.