Paul L. Graley, 79, of Sod, West Virginia, died at home Wednesday, November 30, 2016, after a long illness. He was a beloved husband, father, friend, and neighbor.
A 1955 graduate of Duval High School, he served in the U. S. Army and was stationed at Ft. Lawton U. S. Army base in Seattle, Washington, from Sept. 1962 to Sept. 1964 , where he lived as a newlywed with his wife.
Upon his return from Washington, he and his wife built a house in Sod. He worked through Local No. 625 Plumbers and Pipefitters, where he was a member 51 years, and was employed by West Virginia Heating and Plumbing in Charleston until his retirement in 1999.
He was a member of Cobbs Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Sod.
He is preceded in death by his father Okey A. and mother Dessie (Paul) Graley, of Sod.
Paul is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Joyce D. (Masker), Sod; daughter Lisa Graley, Lafayette, Louisiana; son Michael Graley, Sod; his border collie Nellie, and a host of relatives and friends.
The family would like to thank Michael’s employer West Virginia Heating and Plumbing for high quality service in Howard County, MD and also for allowing him time to help Joyce care for Paul during a two-year convalesence and decline, as well as Lisa’s friends and colleagues who provided support at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette so she could travel to help in her father’s care. If you are looking for professional plumbing services, you can find out this here and get quality services at affordable prices.
The family would like to thank Hospice workers, Melanie Martin, Libby Smith, Sallie Starkey, and Sharon Madden for his most recent care; as well as Amedysis physical therapist Tiffany Wilson who helped him walk again after a three-month hospitalization.
If donations are considered, the family would like to encourage support to HospiceCare, 1606 Kanawha Blvd. W., Charleston, WV 25387-2536.
Service will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 3, 2016 at Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek with Pastors Dr. Phil Suiter and Clyde Gwin officiating. Burial will follow at Lively Cemetery in Sod. The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service.
Paul Graley was a man of quiet knowledge. He was the kind of man who people trusted his instincts and his judgment. The community has lost a wonderful neighbor, friend and inspiration. The world needs more men who will lead by example. Prayers for Joyce, LIsa and Michael.
My heartfelt condolences to you, dear Lisa, and to your mother and brother.
To the family of Paul: We were so saddened to hear about Paul today. Linda, Scott, and I have been away for over 30 years now in Charlotte NC, and we have never forgotten our friends and love ones back in our beloved church at Cobbs Creek. You guys were one of the closest to our hearts. We basically watched Lisa and Michael grow up into kind and loving teenagers, who loved their family and their church. Although we did not socialize much with Paul, we knew in our hearts that he was a kind and respected man who loved his family more than anything. We had great respect for him, and never saw him or talked to him without a smile on his face. Linda, Scott, and I want the family to know that we love you very, very much. We are so, so sorry for your loss. I pray that you will take peace in knowing that Paul is in a place without pain, where there is nothing but happiness and joy. It warms my heart knowing that today he is in the arms of Jesus, and that he knows that one day you will be right there beside him enjoying the wonders of Heaven and experiencing a love that is beyond our understanding. We know the pain you are experiencing now, but we know personally that Gods grace will sustain you through it. We love you all, and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you while you go through this painful time. May God bless and keep you all, now and forever !
“When a great man dies, for years the light he leaves behind him, lies on the paths of men.”
It seems this world is losing all our “great” men. Paul Graley was in the eyes of those who knew him well, a great man. To his family I offer my support and consolation. To others I offer this memory of Paul.
Paul had the gift of listening. While in conversation with Paul on many occasions, some serious subjects and many not so serious, I found him always to listen very intently to each word I was saying with that ever present slight grin and a gleam in his eyes. He could listen, analyze and have available the most practical answer to any question or problem you may present to him. Yet Paul in his meekness would not blurt out the solution. Paul would make you fish around for the remedy asking simple, “what ifs?” and ” do you think…?”, allowing you to struggle and toil until the answer became obvious. He made you feel good about yourself that “you”solved the problem. He sat there completely satisfied, yet in a humble way, that he was able to help.
May the light he leaves behind always guide us to take the time to listen to those around us and to help those we can.