John William Coley

RALEIGH - John William Coley, better known as Bill, died peacefully on the evening of March 9 holding hands with his dear wife Charlotte Coley. Bill was known in his community for wearing a beautiful cross necklace of turquoise and coral crafted by the indigenous community in Mexico. His iconic cross was how many families recognized him inside and outside of the halls of UNC Rex and Duke Hospitals, where he served as a Volunteer Hospital Chaplain. He was the proud son of James Marshall & Mona Bohannon Coley, grandson of the Reverend John L. & Daisy Coley. He was the brother of State Representative Rebecca (Becky) Carney and her husband Gene Carney. He was father to Richard Coley, Heather Coley, Sadef Kully, Anna Dellosa, Mark Coley, and Donna Jo Strickland. He was the grandfather of Griffith Dellosa, Aidan Coley, Tara Strickland and Meghan Strickland. He is also survived by Juanita King Coley; and sister-in-law, Cecelia Camblin, MD; his beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. Bill was a rare Raleigh native who attended Wiley Elementary, Hugh Morrison Junior High School, Broughton High School, and NC State. While at Broughton, he played baseball and was a call boy for the Southern railroad. He played in the streets of Raleigh before they were paved and would reminisce over long forgotten institutions across the city he loved. Continuing the 300 year long Coley tradition, Bill was a North Carolinian through and through. His love of golf once led to a position as golf pro at Cheviot Hills, but his love for his family and community led to other paths. Instead, his career began with the development of artificial turf and its initial installation in the Astro Dome with Monsanto; he worked for the Belk Stores as a ladies wear buyer and a division manager at the Downtown Store; and he finished his career with the News & Observer, having worked in Circulation and Distribution departments. Bill was an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church for over 40 years. Throughout those years, he served his church as an assisting minister, communion assistant, eucristic minister, council member, council president or committee chair. He was celebrated for his cooking skills at many church events, summer camp and was the designated turkey master during Thanksgiving with his loved ones. Anyone who loves Elvis, pink shirts, a good steak, and classic cars would have found common ground and hearty laughter with Bill. Arrangements by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Raleigh.