Herman “Ray” Briley

Published 6:37 pm Friday, October 21, 2016

Mr. Herman “Ray” Briley, age 82, a resident of Washington, died Friday morning, October 21, 2016 at Vidant Inpatient Hospice in Greenville, he was surrounded by his family.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM on Monday October 24, 2016 at the Chapel of Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington officiated by Rev. Carol Steffa.  Burial with Masonic Rites will follow at Pamlico Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Briley was born in Pitt County on February 7, 1934, son of the late Alton Clarence Briley and Blanche Lee Bradley Briley. On December 2, 1955, he married the former Louise Harrell.  He was retired owner/operator of Washington Elevator Company.

Mr. Briley was a retired member of the Washington Volunteer Fire Department and served as Assistant Chief as well as the Washington Rescue Department where he served as Chief. He was a past member of the American Red Cross, member of the Masonic Lodge 104 A.F. & A.M., honorary member of Masonic Lodge 675 and Belhaven Lodge 509. He was a member of the Sudan Temple Turtle Patrol Parade Unit, Washington York Rite Bodies and New Bern Scottish Rite Bodies. He was active in raising money for the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital and Burn Center. Mr. Briley was an avid gun and coin collector, loved hunting, a good joke and fishing, even though his family says he was a terrible fisherman. He rescued a large number of animals throughout his life and volunteered for a number of service organizations.  He played the guitar when he had 10 fingers. He spent time with Red Cross Disaster Relief in the Gulf Coast during Hurricane Katrina.

Mr. Briley served his country in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Washington, a member of the Disciple Sunday School Class, former Elder and Chairman of the Board of Deacons. He was a very generous person, who loved his wife and family and was of strong faith.

He is survived by his wife, Louise, of the home; his daughters: Patricia Briley Barnes and husband Glenn and Stacey Briley Pack and husband John all of Washington; a granddaughter: Allison Barnes of Leeds, England; and his brother: Dalton Briley of Port Orange, FL  In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother: Curtis Briley; his sister: Lillie Mae Bunting and his baby sister: Mavis Briley.

The family will receive friends 2:00-4:00 PM on Sunday at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington and other times at the home.

Memorials may be made to The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford,

600 College Avenue, Oxford, NC  27565 or Vidant Health Medical Center, Service League of Greenville Inpatient Hospice, c/o VHMC Foundation, P.O. Box 8489, Greenville, NC  27835-8489.

On-line condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Briley family.