Paul Richard Hartley Sr.

Published 8:03 am Wednesday, February 5, 2020

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Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Greenville for Paul Richard Hartley Sr., 75, of Greenville, who died early Saturday morning, Feb. 1, surrounded by his family at his beloved home. Graveside services followed at Magnolia Cemetery. Visitation was held from 10 a.m. until service time on Tuesday, Feb. 4.

Born Dec. 21, 1944, in Greenville, Richard was the son of the late Paul Dudley Hartley and Harper Gantt Hartley. He was educated in the Greenville Public School System, graduating from Greenville High School in 1963. In 1968, Richard earned an undergraduate degree in commerce and business administration from The University of Alabama where he was a member of Sigma Nu Social Fraternity and Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity. In 1971, he earned a law degree from The University of Alabama and was admitted to the practice of law the same year. 

Richard commenced his practice with the law firm of Rogers and Scott, which later became Rogers, Scott and Hartley. In 1976, Richard formed the partnership of Hartley and Hickman with Frank A. Hickman, practicing there until his death.

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Richard was admitted to practice before various appellate courts. Among many other professional memberships, Richard was a member of the Alabama State Bar Association and was honored to serve on the Alabama Board of Bar Commissioners from 1979 until 1985. He was also a member of the Greenville Alabama Bar Association and served as its president for eight years. He was chairman of the Alabama State Bar CLE Committee, Young Lawyers Section for two terms; was a member of the Alabama Bar Association, the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, the Alabama Law Foundation and American Judicature Society.  Richard was honored to serve on the Board of Directors of Attorneys Insurance Mutual since its inception in 1989. 

Richard also served as the city attorney for the cities of Greenville, Georgiana and Evergreen, and the Town of McKenzie, and as the attorney for the Industrial Development Board of Greenville. In addition to his law practice, he served as the elected chairman of the Butler County Board of Education from 1973 to 1996. He was also a member of several civic and social organizations and political committees.

Richard held a seat in multiple public offices, was a member of the Board of Directors for Greenville Bank Division of Banktrust, and was previously an instructor of Business Law at LBWCC, Greenville extension.   He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve in 1968 and ended his military service as a Captain in 1976. He was a lifelong member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Greenville, where he served in various Vestry positions between 1971 and 1996 and was also a Sunday School teacher and Lay Reader. 

Survivors include, his wife, Marion Parsons Hartley; three sons, Richie (Rita Pitts), Gantt and Nicholas; seven grandchildren, Paul, Stephen, Emily, Caroline, Alie, Haylee and Ivey; sister, Dr. Joy Hartley Russell (Mack) of Dauphin Island; two nieces; three nephews; one great niece and two great nephews. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to GHS Band, 100 Tiger Dr., Greenville, AL. 36037 or St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 210 Church St., Greenville, AL. 36037.

For online condolences, please visit www.dunklinanddanielsfh.com