The Memorial Candle Program has been designed to help offset the costs associated with the hosting this Tribute Website in perpetuity. Through the lighting of a memorial candle, your thoughtful gesture will be recorded in the Book of Memories and the proceeds will go directly towards helping ensure that the family and friends of Col. Nathaniel Greene Raley (Ret.) can continue to memorialize, re-visit, interact with each other and enhance this tribute for future generations.

Thank you.

Cancel
Select Candle
Col. Nathaniel Greene  Raley (Ret.)
In Memory of
Col. Nathaniel Greene 
Raley (Ret.)
1922 - 2017
Click above to light a memorial candle.

The lighting of a Memorial Candle not only provides a gesture of sympathy and support to the immediate family during their time of need but also provides the gift of extending the Book of Memories for future generations.

Obituary for Col. Nathaniel Greene Raley (Ret.)

Col. Nathaniel Greene Raley (Ret.), 94, of Huntsville, passed away Wednesday, May 17, 2017.

Mr. Raley was born Sept. 13, 1922 in Demopolis. he was a graduate of Marion Military Institute in Marion and was a graduate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. During World War II, he was a P-38 fighter pilot in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. While flying as Squadron Leader, he led his squadron on a dive-bombing and strafing mission in support of American Ground Forces near the Anzio, Italy beachhead. He was shot down behind enemy lines and spent 15 months in German prisoner of war camps. He remained in the Air Force Reserve and retired with the rank of Colonel. His awards and decorations included the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart for wounds received when he was shot down, the Prisoner of War Medal, nine Air Medals, and others. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his children, Elinor Raley Williams, and William Greene Raley.

Burial will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Riverside Cemetery in Demopolis with Kirk Funeral Homes Demopolis Chapel directing.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 607 Airport Road, Huntsville, AL 35802, or the Wesley Center in Tuscaloosa.
Recently Shared Condolences
Recently Lit Memorial Candles
Recently Shared Stories
Recently Shared Photos