Burl Wilson Staley

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Burl Wilson Staley, age 97, passed away April 19, 2024. He was born in Ashe County on October 25, 1926, to Abraham L. Staley and Ada Parsons Staley. He was preceded in death by his infant brother, Wade, making him the oldest child. He also preceded in death by his brothers, Earl Staley and Paul Staley, and his sister, Sue Smith. He is survived by his sister, Betty Walker, of North Wilkesboro and his brother, Gene Staley (Glenna) of Sebring, Florida. 

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Monday, April 22, 2024, at Blue Ridge Baptist Church with Pastor Ted Shatley officiating.  The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM prior to the service at the church.  Burial with military honors by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1142 Honor Guard, the United States Navy Honor Guard and Masonic Rites will be given by the Mt. Pleasant  Masonic Lodge #573 in the church cemetery.  He was a member of the Blue Ridge Baptist Church in Ashe County. He will be buried there in his beloved mountains alongside his deceased family members.

He is survived by his wife of 75 years, Mary Lois Blevins Staley. Together they have six surviving children. They are Nancy Dunn (Bill) of Wake Forest, Steve Staley (Delita) of Ronda, Don Staley of Millers Creek, Debbie Staley (Thomas Spicer) of Wilkesboro, Patty Harris (Edgar) of North Wilkesboro, and Sheila Griffin (Rex) of Wilkesboro. Left to remember him are his grandchildren Brian Faw (Wendy Leventry) of Greensboro, Darren Staley (Tonya) of Traphill, Christy Tharpe (Greg) of Hays, David Simmons (Vanessa) of Wilkesboro, Will Lankford (Amy) of Wilkesboro, Michael Staley (Amanda) of Wilkesboro, Audrey Barnes (James) of Harrisonburg, VA, Adam Staley of Asheville, and Josh Staley of Asheville. He was blessed with 16 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. 

He was a proud veteran of the United States Navy serving in World War II in Guam.   He served as Seaman First Class from March 31, 1944, until April 25, 1947.  He received the American Theatre, Asiatic-Pacific and World War II Victory Medals.

He retired at age 76 after a long career as a truck driver. He and his wife, Lois, started Staley and Staley Trucking in 1972. They traveled the country together for 50 plus years, making many friends along the way. He will always be known as Polar Bear, his CB radio "handle". 

Later in life he became interested in the Masons and joined the Mt. Pleasant Masonic Lodge #573, where he became a Shriner. 

Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Blue Ridge Baptist Church, 407 Blue Ridge Church Road, West Jefferson, NC 28694.

The family wishes to thank Amorem Hospice and the caregivers for their assistance in his care.

Online condolences may be made to www.reinssturdivant.com.

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