Warren Herschel Straley

1930 - 2008

February 12, 1930-June 25, 2008
Warren Herschel Straley entered life in Metcalf, IL February 12, 1930, the son of Eldottus L. and Alice E. Straly. He was called to his eternal Home by the Lord Jesus Christ on June 25, 2008 after a lengthy battle with cancer. The family moved to Indiana when he was seven years old. He grew up on a farm along with five sisters and two brothers where he learned the values of hard work and close family. The family was very active in the church and formed lifelong friendships there. Warren was a retired aerospace engineer and avid golfer. He finished one year at Purdue University before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. upon graduation from The Engineer Officers Candidate School, Fort Belvoir, VA in 1952. He served our country in Korea where he received a Bronze Star for meritorious service. Returning to Purdue University, he graduated with a BSME in 1958. He moved to Huntsville, Al that same year to work with the Army Ballistic Missile Agency which became NASA in 1960. He worked on projects aimed at manned space exploration. It was in Huntsville that he met and married his wife, Rebecca. In 1963, they moved to Southern California where he continued his aerospace career with Hughes Aircraft until his retirement in 1989. He did consulting work up until 1996. He enjoyed reading, writing, teaching, watch, coin and stamp collecting, music, travel and was an avid golfer. He was active in Rolling Hills Covenant Church where he served at various times as an usher, wrote articles for the Torchbearers newsletter, sang in the choir and was involved in a variety of other activities. He served on the Board of Directors of the South Bay Community Concert Association, a favorite organization. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Rebecca Straley of Manhattan Beach, CA; son, Steven M. Straley; and grandson, Shane M. Straley, both of Hermosa Beach, CA; brothers, Miles Howe Straly (Peggy) of Peru, IN and Theron Scott Straly (Connie) of Bend, OR; sister, Mary Marie Mitten (Lester) of Spencer IN; Marjorie Sciscoe (Austin) of Bloomington, IN and several cousins, nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend our deep gratitude to Dr. Pinski and all the staff at Norris Cancer Hospital at USC in Los Angeles; to Dr. Masoodi, Dr. del Vicario, Dr. Dickey and all the nursing staff at Little Company of Mary Hospital who gave such kind and loving care to Warren during his illness. A private burial service was held on July 2, 2008. A memorial service will be held at Rolling Hills Covenant Church North Chapel, 2221 Palos Verdes Drive North, Wednesday July 9, at 2:00 P.M. The family requests that in lieu of flowers contributions may be made to The Voyagers Class, Rolling Hills Covenant Church, 2222 Palos Verdes Drive North, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 or the charity of your choice. Please sign the guest book at www.dailybreeze/obits.com