Edward Collier Talley

Edward Collier Talley, 83, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 17, 2007. Memorial services will be at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 19, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel, with Rev. Allen Grant and Rev. Stephen Ramsdell officiating. Ed was born July 10, 1924, in New York City, New York, to Robert and Audrey Talley. Ed was a true electronics genius. He quit high school in the 12th grade in Memphis, Tennessee, to teach pre-radar at Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi, at the beginning of World War II. He joined the Army in May of 1943 and served in the 1st Army Signal Corps in the European Theater for almost 3 years. Ed served aboard the USS Augusta, the flagship of the Normandy Invasion. There he received communication from the Normandy Beach as to the artillery and equipment needed during the invasion. Ed married Elsie Terrell of Jackson, TN, December 7, 1946. They lived in Memphis until his retirement from Bluff City Electronics, Dist. in 1980. They moved to Jackson, where they built their retirement home in the country on Elsie’s homeplace. This is where their grandchildren spent many weeks in the summer. In April 2000, Ed and Elsie moved to Waco to be near their daughter. After his wife’s death in 2001, his passion was volunteering in the Cath Lab at Providence Hospital. The staff was like his second family. Ed was a 32nd Degree Mason. He belonged to Harris Grove Methodist Church in Jackson, where he served in many various capacities. After moving to Waco, he joined China Spring United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elsie. Ed is survived by one daughter, Elaine Reynolds and her husband, Mark, of Waco. Also surviving him are his grandchildren David Rhoden IV and his wife, Deanna, of Frisco; Ashley Brooks and her husband, Brad, of Plano; Reagan Rowland and her husband, Rod, of Los Angeles; Ryan Reynolds of Dallas; and Shelley Buhner and her husband, Shawn, of Waco. He is survived by 5 great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank Dr. Jim Copeland and Dr. Mark Schwartze for their care and compassion. We also deeply appreciate the care given by the staff of Meadowlands Terrace, Providence Hospice and the staff of 4 South at Providence Hospital. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to China Spring United Methodist Church Building Fund, P O Box 400, China Spring, TX 76633. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.