Roland Leon Finley was born to William and Martha Turman Finley in Jonesboro, Arkansas on July 15, 1927 and passed away on August 9, 2015 at the age of 88. He was a graduate of Valley View High School (1945), Jonesboro, AR. Mr. Finley was a graduate of The University of Arkansas with a B. S. C. E. degree in Building Construction (1952) and later received a M. S. degree in Civil Engineering (1961) from The University of New Mexico. He served 2 years active duty in the Medical Department of The United States Army and then in The Army Reserve for many years until he retired with the rank of Colonel. He has been a member of Hillwood Baptist Church for many years. Mr. Finley and his family lived in Seattle, WA and later moved to Huntsville in 1962 where he was employed by Boeing Aerospace. At Boeing, he worked on many aerospace engineering projects such as the Saturn 5 program, the design team for the Lunar Rover (the Moon Buggy) that was used to transport astronauts on the moon and military weapons design. His first priority was always his family, who he spent most of his free time with. He also enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking, fishing and travel.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Fay Ward Finley and son, Roland Leon Finley II.
He is survived by his sister: Mattie Mae Lee (Robert), his children: Wayman Finley (Kathy), Kelly Finley (Donna), Gordon Finley, Linda Finley Clausen (Andy) and Ben Finley (Kristi), his grandchildren: Michelle Finley, Kristy Finley and Buddy Marcey (Angie), and his great grandchild: Grace Marcey.
Visitation will be at Berryhill Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 12, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 13, at 2:00 p.m. at Berryhill Funeral Home at 2305 N. Memorial Parkway, Huntsville, AL. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery immediately following the funeral service.
Berryhill Funeral Home is assisting the family.