Dr. Robert W. Boley

CHELSEA – Dr. Robert W. Boley, age 91, formerly of Adrian, passed away Saturday, January 31, 2015 at Chelsea Retirement Communities. He was born July 6, 1923, in Normal, Illinois, to Arthur W. and Gail (Washburn) Boley. Bob grew up in Kewanee, Illinois in a loving family and cherished his Midwestern roots. Bob was married to Emily McRae on August 26, 1950 at the Boston University’s Marsh Chapel, and they were blessed with over 58 years together. Emily preceded him in death in 2009. Dr. Boley attended Illinois State University prior to being drafted into the US Army in WWII. While in the Army, he served in the Pacific as an Amphibious Engineer and was training for the invasion of Japan. After the war, Bob graduated from Cornell College in Iowa and then attended seminary at Boston University School of Theology. He obtained a Doctor of Ministry from Hamma Theological Seminary. As a United Methodist minister, Bob pastored churches in Assumption, Illinois and Champaign, Illinois before moving to Michigan. He served at Strathmore UMC, was founding pastor of Beverly Hills UMC, and Sr. Pastor of Redford UMC before becoming the senior pastor of the Adrian First United Methodist Church. His final appointment was as Sr. Pastor of Grosse Pointe UMC. Upon retirement, Dr. Boley returned to Adrian, serving at Adrian First United Methodist Church as Pastor Emeritus. Bob loved his faith and the Church and believed in changing the world through love, kindness and service - one person at a time. To use one of his own favorite phrases – Bob was “a gentleman and a scholar,” who had a great sense of humor and loved to sing. He is survived by four children, Art (Roseanne) Boley of Farmington Hills; Rev. John (Diane) Boley of Kalamazoo; Sandy (James) Kitts of Flushing; and Bill Boley of Plymouth; nine grandchildren, Tomek (Hannah), Aldona, Veronika, Robert (Emma), Ian (Jessica), Hannah, Mary, Samuel and Jacinda; and three great grandchildren, Ivan, Jasper and William; and a sister, Martha Olin of Alexis, IL; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his special friend, Mary McDonald, of Champaign, Illinois. In addition to his wife, Emily, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Marjorie Piper and John Boley. Funeral services will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2015, at the Adrian First United Methodist Church with Revs. Drew Hart and Chris Brundage officiating. Friends may visit the family at Wagley Funeral Home on Friday, February 6, 2015, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Contributions in memory of Dr. Boley may be made to Adrian First United Methodist Church and Chelsea Retirement Communities. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Dr. Robert W. Boley

July 6, 1923 - January 31, 2015