William Mobley Obituary

MOBLEY, William Orangeburg - Dr. William Bradley "Brad" Mobley, age 89, died Monday, March 30, 2009 at the Oaks. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church with Rev. Kristen Richardson-Frick officiating. Dr. Mobley was born in Anderson, SC, a son of the late Dr. William H. Mobley and Ludie Ree Bradley Mobley. Dr. Mobley had been a practicing optometrist in Orangeburg for nearly 50 years. Before he turned 26 years old, Dr. Mobley had flown every airplane in the US Army-Air Corps and had logged more than 2,000 hours. He got his private pilot's license when he was 16 in Orangeburg, but four years later he entered a pilot training program to learn "the Army's way of flying." During WWII, he was stationed in Great Falls, Montana and he flew all types of airplanes from there to Fairbanks, Alaska, so they could be picked up by either American or Russian soldiers. All planes, except for the P-38's were made in the US and sent to Russia on a lend-lease program. Flying and practicing Optometry were his two life's passions, along with his family. Dr. Mobley was a member St. Paul's United Methodist Church. He was the widower of Judy Andrews Mobley. Survivors include his wife, Lucy Tyler Mobley, of the home; two daughters, Mrs. Hinchie (Georgianna) McGee, Orangeburg and Mrs. Randall (Nancy) Swan, Mt. Pleasant; three sons, William Bradley Mobley, Jr., Columbia, Richard H. Mobley, Cayce and Robert Edel Mobley, Columbia; step daughter, Mrs. Carl (Iva) Strock, Cope; step son, Jeffrey Calcutt, Charleston; ten grandchildren, two great grandchildren, three step grandchildren and three step great grandchildren. Family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 - 8 PM at Dukes-Harley Funeral Home. At other times at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. H.A. McGee, 332 Berry St., Orangeburg. Memorials may be made: St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 1356 Amelia St., Orangeburg, SC 29115 or to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 120 Wall St., 19th Floor, New York City, NY 10005. Arrangements by Dukes-Harley Funeral Home. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/ deaths.