Reunited By Memories
It was just after World War II when the Harley family began serving Greenwood and the surrounding communities with compassionate assistance in times of sorrow.
Founded in 1947, when L. Ruple Harley, Sr. purchased Mobley Williams’ share of the Williams-Harley Funeral Home, our firm encompasses three generations of the Harley family to serve the community in this important way. In fact, the family’s history of funeral service dates back even further, since Mr. Harley’s brothers, I.S. and Clifton, operated the Dukes-Harley Funeral Home in Orangeburg long before the founding of our firm.
Many changes have taken place since 1947. In 1951, we relocated our chapel to what is now a landmark building on South Main Street and Creswell Avenue. Over the years, we have renovated our facility several times to serve you more completely. And we’ve assumed joint ownership of Oakbrook Memorial Park, which allows us to help you with all your needs at one time, in one place. But one thing will never change – the Harley family’s commitment to always being available as friends and advisors, and to serving you as we would be served.
L. Ruple Harley, Sr.
Born in December of 1917, L. Ruple Harley, Sr. graduated from Wofford College and served his country during World War II in the European Theatre at Stark General Hospital. After continuing to serve in the Reserves, Mr. Harley eventually retired with the rank of Major.
Professionally, L. Ruple Harley, Sr. has served as Past President of both the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association (SCFDA) and the South Carolina State Board of Funeral Service, and is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association. He was also the first recipient of the “Funeral Director of the Year” award, presented by the Piedmont Group of SCFDA in 2001, of which he is also a member. Mr. Harley also considers community service as one of his most important duties, and is a member of the Greenwood Rotary Club, Masonic Lodge #91 A.F.M., the V.F.W., and the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member and Past President of the Greenwood Shrine Club.
A member of Main Street United Methodist Church, Mr. Harley is married to the former Billie Davis and is a father to L. Ruple Harley Jr. He has two grandchildren, L. Ruple Harley, III and Allison Harley Cobb, and six lovely great grandchildren. His son, Henry Clifton Harley II, passed away in 1965.
L. Ruple Harley, Jr.
L. Ruple Harley, Jr. was born in Orangeburg in April of 1944, and followed his father into the funeral profession after graduating from the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science in Louisville in 1964. His professional affiliations include presidential terms with both the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association. It was during his leadership of the NFDA that major changes in veteran funeral protocol came to be. Now, every qualified veteran will be honored in the manner he or she deserves. He once stated “funerals should be like snowflakes, with each one showing the person’s personality and the gift of his or her life.” Ruple was awarded the status of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner from the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. While he serves as Vice President of Harley Funeral Home and Oakbrook Memorial Park, he is also the president of the L. Ruple Harley, Sr. Educational Foundation.
Ruple is also active within our community, serving as Past President of the Greenwood Jaycees, the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, the Emerald City Rotary Club, and the S.C. Festival of Flowers. He has also been honored as Greenwood’s “Young Man of the Year,” JCI Senate, and is a Paul Harris Fellow.
A member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Ruple is the father of two, L. Ruple Harley, III and Allison Harley Cobb, and grandfather of six.
L. Ruple Harley, III
Upon graduation from Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta in 1987, L. Ruple Harley, III was proud to follow his father and grandfather in serving the families of Greenwood. He is a member of the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association and also serves our local community as a member of the Greenwood Rotary Club, and has served as chairman of the S.C. Waterfowl Association, Greenwood Chapter.
Ruple III is married to the former Carol Sprott, with whom he has also chaired the S.C. Festival of Flowers. They are the parents of three, Kerri Jones, Davis Renee Harley, and Ben Harley, and are members of the Main Street United Methodist Church. Carol also serves as the Office Manager for the funeral home.
In addition to Ruple, Jr. and Ruple, III, the following is a listing of our full time staff members:
Carol S. Harley – Office Manager / Licensed Funeral Director
Thomas J. "Tom" Wright, IV – Licensed Funeral Director / Embalmer
Jamey R. Guy – Licensed Funeral Director / Embalmer
Jerry W. Coleman – Licensed Funeral Director / Embalmer
Timothy G. Walker – Funeral Director
Other Associates include:
| Rock Goldman |
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Furman "Peanut" Ponder |
| Chris Still |
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Dena Mobley |
| Herbert Johnson |
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J.W. Walker |
| Ashley Fenters |
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Jimmy Corley |
We invite you to contact any member of our staff at any time. We will be happy to answer any questions you might have. We also welcome any speaking opportunities to further educate the community about preplanning funerals and how to cope with grief.
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Our landmark chapel
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(L-R) L. Ruple Harley, Jr., L. Ruple Harley, Sr., L. Ruple Harley, III
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