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.