Dr. William Randolph (Randy) Warley, age 78, of Rome, Georgia, died on Thursday, January 4, 2024. He was born September 19, 1945 in Charlotte, North Carolina, the son of the late Paul Warley and Olivia Holcomb Warley Ellery. Also preceding him in death were his step-father, Frank Ellery, his brother, Peyton Warley, his sister, Olivia Warley Gutoff and her husband, Mort.
He is survived by his loving wife, Dr. D’Ann Downey of 23 years, daughter, Dr. Beverly Randolph Warley Yancey, DPN (Vic) of Rome, Georgia and daughter, Anne Marie Warley of Atlanta, Georgia, two grandsons, two great-grandsons, five nephews, one niece and several cousins. He greatly valued the human-companion animal bond and he leaves behind two doting miniature Schnauzers, Maci and Nappa, who brought him much love and delight.
Dr. Warley’s childhood was spent in Charlotte, North Carolina and Charleston, South Carolina, the home of his father. Randy often spent summers in Geneva, New York with his maternal great-aunt, Anne Waring DeZeng, who was more like a grandmother figure in his life. After his father died when Randy was 14 years old, the family moved to New Castle, Delaware, his mother’s hometown. He attended the Severn School for Boys in Severna Park, Maryland. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, a Master of Science Degree in Library Science from Florida State University, a Ph.D. in Educational Studies from Emory University and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, California.
Dr. Warley faithfully served his country for four years (1965-1969) in the U.S. Army, working in the Language School and in Personnel at the Defense Language Institute, West Coast Branch, in Monterey, California.
He held several positions at Mercer University in Atlanta and Macon, the longest as Registrar. After moving to Rome, Georgia, Dr. Warley was Department Chair of Psychology and Sociology at Shorter University where he taught psychology, research and statistics. He was a Clinical Psychologist at Harbin Clinic and then in private practice after retiring from Harbin Clinic. Randy served on the United Way Board as well as the Board of Many Streams (precursor to Cancer Navigators).
Dr. Warley was a very kind, caring and gentle person who had a way about him that invited people to open up and share themselves. He was an excellent listener who helped many people in his practice of psychology and was a natural therapist. Randy had a life-long love of learning, of gathering new ideas, taking courses from The Great Courses and keeping his mind stimulated. An avid reader, he was also a talented artist. The mobiles he made are works of art. Randy enjoyed the kinetic arts, the hands on touch and dimensional aspect of the art. He had a subtle sense of humor; he was reserved but when he spoke he had pearls of wisdom to offer. Traveling and experiencing new parts of the world brought pleasure and expansion to his life.
A cradle Episcopalian, Randy valued the accepting, non-judgmental aspects of the Episcopal Church which very much matched his own values. He completed the Education for Ministry (EfM) Program from the University of the South and lead EfM program at St. Peter’s.
The family wishes to thank the staff at the Magnolia Building long-term care facility at The Spires at Berry College, and the Heyman Hospice Team for their excellent and sensitive care. Much appreciation goes to Dr. Bob Norton and Casey Reemsnyder for providing their services at The Spires. Also, many thanks to Randy’s faithful and loving friends who visited him on a weekly basis at The Spires; Rev. Dr. Gary Batchelor, Randy Eidson, Dr. Hugh Bonnor and Ansley Barton.
Memorial Services will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Rome, Georgia February 10 at 11 a.m. Inurnment will be in the Memorial Garden at the Church. The reception will follow in Daniel Hall. Donations are asked to be given to Compassionate Paws, Inc., 3 Central Plaza # 217, Rome, Georgia 30161 or to the charity of your choice.
Daniels Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Dr. William Randolph (Randy) Warley.