Robert E. Hartley

Robert E. Hartley (Bobby) passed peacefully with his loving family around him on Nov. 15th, 2014. He collapsed on Veteran's Day and never regained consciousness. He was very proud to have served his country. His parents were Clarence Equilla Hartley and Lela Mae (Monroe) Hartley. He was born March 20, 1929 in Rowan County. He was educated in the Rowan County School System and was a graduate of Woodleaf High School. He joined the US Army in 1944 at age 15. He was a sergeant in the 11th Airborne Division as a paratrooper and a glider pilot. He helped to clean up the Phillipine Islands. He guarded prisoners of war at Sugamo Prison in Japan and hung 27 Class A war criminals, including Heideki Tojo. He also guarded Tokyo Rose. He served at the end of WWII and was called back to serve in Germany during the Korean War--a total of seven years. He worked for Southern Railway for 43 years--at the old Spencer Shops in Spencer, NC, the shops at Spartanburg, SC and the new shops at Linwood, NC where he was foreman. He was a lifelong member of Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church in Salisbury, NC and was a founding member of the Badin Shores Chapel in New London, NC. Preceding him in death were his siblings William Curtis Hartley and Mary Elizabeth (Hartley) Simmerson. He is survived by a sister, Martha Rhea (Hartley) Platt of Salisbury. He is also survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Ann Alexandra (Fisher) Hartley, four children: Deborah Ann (Hartley) Garrigues (Brad), Carol Lynn (Hartley) Featherstone, John Richard Hartley (Michella), and Anita Hartley; nephew Hayden Curtis Simmerson, all of Salisbury. He had seven grandchildren who called him Granddaddy and ten great grandchildren who called him Paw Bob. Visitation will be Saturday, November 22nd at Mt. Tabor Methodist Church, 4520 Old Mocksville Road, Salisbury, NC, 28144 at 12:00 noon, followed by the funeral at 1 pm, with the Rev. Kris Mares and Rev. Dr. Brad Garrigues, officiating. Special pianist will be Rose Abers with soloist Neal Wilkinson. Burial will be at Mt. Tabor Methodist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to Mt. Tabor Methodist Church; Badin Shores Chapel,111 Dove Lane, New London, NC 28217 and Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 78517 Topeka KS 66675

Robert E. Hartley

March 20, 1929 - November 15, 2014