Robert Virgil Burley used to say that the birth of his son saved his life. At the time, Burley was serving in Korea and was supposed to go on a three-day leave to Japan. Because he was waiting to hear if his first wife, Leila, had given birth, he decided to wait at the base. Instead of getting on the plane, Burley watched it take off. Minutes later, the plane crashed, said his son, Tim. Burley was able to return to the United States to see his infant son.
Tim Burley of Marietta recalled his father’s pride in his military career, saying he loved collecting “anything military.” He also contributed heavily to the Air Force Memorial in Washington, D.C. After high school, Robert Burley joined the Army Air Corps, serving there and in the Air Force for 21 years. In addition to his service in Korea, Burley operated in North Africa in World War II, and he spent 18 months as a prisoner of war in Germany.
Robert Virgil Burley of Marietta passed away at home Saturday of complications from prostate cancer. He was 93. A burial with full military honors will be held at Green Lawn Cemetery in Roswell following a service at H.M. Patterson & Son Canton Hill Chapel at 11 a.m. Thursday. H.M. Patterson & Son Funeral Directors, Canton Hill Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
After the passing of his first wife in 1979, Burley wrote to a woman he had met while serving in Ireland. He traveled to Ireland to meet Helen and he married her six months later. The couple lived together in Northern Ireland for 10 years before moving to Marietta.
“He just wanted to be closer to us,” said Tim of his father’s return to the United States in 2000. “My father was a very trusting person who always did the right thing. Even if it was the hard way, he would always do it the right way”—a trait that earned him the trust and respect of many friends.
One such friend was Mary Allen. Allen first met Burley, whom she called “a one-of-a-kind man,” in 1975, when he became her neighbor. Living near him for almost 40 years, she and Burley became close friends, staying in touch even during his time in Ireland.
Allen described Burley as “a Southern gentleman,” if not for his birthplace in Wayne County, Iowa. She said he was “a perfect gentleman, with all the good qualities a person could possibly have. I don’t want to say perfect, but he was a near perfect person.”
Allen knew Burley as an active man, always working outside and staying busy. Burley’s son said even as he aged, Burley would walk every day and was full of life and vigor.
In addition to his son, Burley is survived by his daughter-in-law Vicki; daughter, Rhonda of Marietta; wife, Helen of Marietta; grandson, Ryan of Acworth, and four great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Leila; and his granddaughter, Brandi.
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