GREENVILLE – Harry Walton Whitley Jr., 62, of Greenville, NC died peacefully on  August 28, 2011 under the care of the dedicated staff of University Health Systems Hospice House.

A native of Murfreesboro, he was born on June 11, 1949 to Harry Walton “Pete” Sr. and Lucille Woodard Whitley.  He was preceded in death by his father.

Mr. Whitley served in the North Carolina National Guard and attended Chowan College.  He was a graduate of North Carolina Wesleyan College and obtained his Masters Degree in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Mr. Whitley was employed in the area of public health during his entire professional career, most recently as an Environmental Health Specialist.   He was a life member of the Eastern District Public Health Association, and served as president. He was the recipient of numerous awards in the public health arena.

Mr. Whitley was very active in the Democrat Party, following in his father’s footsteps.  He was president of the Hertford County Young Democrats Club, Chairman of the Hertford County Democrat Party and served as Vice President of the North Carolina Young Democrats Club.  He was the county/area “key” for several Democrat candidates over the years including North Carolina Lt. Governor Bob Jordan.  He was a 32° Mason and was a member of Masonic Lodge 708 AF&AM.  He was also a member of the Scottish Rite and Order of the Eastern Star #149.

Harry was an accomplished, award-winning marksman and enjoyed shooting sporting clays and skeet.  He was an avid duck hunter and also enjoyed fishing, especially with his family members.

Mr. Whitley is survived by his mother; devoted wife, Becky, of the home; a  son, Harry Walton “Pete” Whitley, III  and wife, Corrie, of  Wilmington, NC;  siblings Randolph “ Randy” Woodard Whitley and wife, Cheryl, of Murfreesboro and sister, LuAnn Whitley Joyner and husband, Don, of Ahoskie; grandson Jacob Alexander Whitley;  stepdaughter Allison Hester DeVore and husband, Steven, of Charlotte, NC; niece Amanda W. Brett and husband, Ian, of Kernersville, NC;  nephew Wingate Gordon “Win” Joyner, III of Knoxville, TN;  niece Elizabeth Lucille Whitley Joyner of Ahoskie;  and many friends and  hunting and fishing “buddies”.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, August 30 at the Garrett-Jones Funeral Home in Ahoskie  from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.  The funeral service will be on Wednesday August 31, at 11:00 a.m. at Murfreesboro Baptist Church with the Reverend Lee Canipe  officiating.   The graveside service will follow the funeral at Riverside Cemetery with full Masonic Rites.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC  27565; Murfreesboro Baptist Church, P. O. Box  124, Murfreesboro, NC  27855; or the charity of one’s choice.

Garrett-Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.