Harry Hartley

Mr. Harry Decoy Hartley of Kernersville, passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. He was born September 21, 1920, in Forsyth County to John Lewis and Sarah Alice (Sallie) Hartley. Mr. Hartley was a graduate of Sedge Garden School and retired from RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company.

Harry was a proud veteran of World War II serving in the United States Navy on the USS Makin Island CVE-93. Along with receiving his sacred Order of the Golden Dragon card and Shellback card, Harry also received the Captains Citation and the following uniform decorations: American Area Service Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Area Service Ribbon with stars for the following engagements: Letya, Iwo Jima, Lingayen, Okinawa, and a Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star.

Harry loved the outdoors and was an avid gardener who could grow anything, but his passion was vegetables. He was also a craftsman who enjoyed designing and building metal projects.

Mr. Hartley was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years Ruth Phelps Hartley, and his son Ronald Gray Hartley. He is survived by his son H. Benjamin Hartley of Kernersville; daughter-in-law Lee Boatright Hartley of Kernersville; two granddaughters Stacey Hartley Carlson (Jeff) of Avon Lake, Ohio and Lynn Hartley Nolen (Jeff) of Kernersville; two great-grandsons Jasper Nolen and Lachlan Nolen of Kernersville; two canine grandchildren Lewi and Charli; and sister-in-law Bettie Phelps Swett.

A graveside service will be conducted at 10:30 am on March 11, 2023 at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.