Burley M. Harris
Burley Milroy Harris III, 82, was called home by the Lord on March 1, 2026. Surrounded by his loving family in Columbus, Georgia after a long battle with Interstitial Lung Disease, and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Burley was born on March 20, 1943 to Burley M Harris Jr and Alma B Harris, both of whom are deceased. Burley was a native of Somerset County, Pennsylvania and graduated from Turkeyfoot High School in 1962.
After graduating from high school in 1962, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he served his country until 1965. During that time, he met the love of his life. After being pen pals for a short time, they fell in love, were married in 1963 in Wise, Virginia. They remained devoted and loving lifelong partners until Joyce’s death in 2010. Burley continued to honor their love and marriage after Joyce’s passing. He visited her grave every day until he moved to Georgia in 2025.
During his service at Fort Riley, Kansas, they had their first child, Burley Milroy Harris IV in 1964. When his service was completed in 1965, they moved to Lorain, Ohio where Burley and Joyce had their second and last child Lisa A Harris in 1967.
In 1969 they moved to Salem, Virginia to be closer to Joyce’s family and for a job opportunity at LB Smith Company. Six years later, he moved his family to Roanoke County where he was employed by the Roanoke City Garage and then later by the Virginia Water Authority. He retired in 1997 after 30 years of service. He enjoyed living in Roanoke County, Virginia for 50 years.
Burley was a kind, gentle and loving man. He loved his wife and family and worked tirelessly to provide for them. His family meant more to him than anything else in the world besides his love for the Lord. He had a beautiful voice which he lifted up in the Lord’s honor for many years in Church. He loved traveling, visiting his homeplace and being with his immediate and extended family.
Burley was a passionate craftsman who loved working with wood and metal. He spent time building bird houses and feeding his birds, drawing, puzzling and always had a green thumb. His passion was working on engines of all kinds, large and small. He enjoyed many NASCAR races over the years. He was also an avid collector of many things and loved dumpster diving.
Surviving are son Burley M Harris IV (wife Rhonda): daughter Lisa A Harris (husband Tom) and sister Alice May McClintock. One granddaughter Olivia Keene (husband Kenny) and many loving nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by the love of his life, wife Joyce Harris, sisters, Dora Elsetta Moore, Lena Linderman, Joyce Phillips and Alma Patty Basinger.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026 in the Abby at Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Sherwood Memorial Park.
Military honors will be rendered.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to www.simpsonfuneral.com
