Obituary of William Edward Finley

COLUMBIA—Graveside services for William Edward Finley, 84, of Columbia, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2014 at Greenlawn Memorial Park with full military honors. Rev. Cameron DeBrew will officiate. The family will greet friends one hour prior at Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209. Mr. Finley passed away on July 8, 2014. Born in Simpsonville, SC, he was a son of the late, James Ansel and Sarah Bagwell Finley. He was a loving son, husband, father, brother, grand-father and great-grandfather. He was an avid bowler and loved playing golf. After Mr. Finley became ill, he loved his computer games, working jigsaw puzzles and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved keeping up with all sports most especially, the Gamecocks. He was retired from the US Army, and a veteran of the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War, where he received two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star Medal. Mr. Finley was a life-time member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 402. He retired from Dorn VA Medical Center where he was known as "Bio Med Ed". Surviving are his loving and dedicated wife of 63 years, Mrs. Dorothy "Dot" Finley of Columbia; daughters, Jane Griggs of Batesburg; Martha (John) Motley of Columbia and son, Tim (Sharon) Finley of Columbia. Grandchildren, Shannon Motley, Kim (Dwayne) McLemore, Corey Finley, Jessie and Kevin Griggs. Great-grandchildren, Bryson, Colton, Gracyn McLemore; Alexander and Sara Griggs. Sister, Debbie Roper of Buford, GA and brother, Jack (Kathy) Finley of Simpsonville, SC. Mr. Finley was predeceased by his sister, Ethyleen Finley and brothers, Charles, Donnie and Jim Finley. The family wishes to thank the staff of the Wateree Wing of The Community Living Center, Podiatry Clinic and the Dialysis Center of the Dorn VA Medical Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Beulah Baptist Church Building Fund; 9487 Garners Ferry Road, Hopkins, SC 29061.