About Us

our history

As a young man of 15, Paul Croley started his career in the funeral business working for Evan Pennington at the Pennington Funeral Home in Williamsburg, Kentucky doing small jobs in and around the business. He continued his love for the funeral business until he was called to serve his country in World War II.

Once he was discharged from the Army he married Edna Owens, on October 19, 1947 a Whitley County school teacher in his hometown of Williamsburg. He continued his career in the funeral industry by graduating the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science in 1949 in Louisville, Kentucky. He and Edna had one son, Jerry Wayne Croley (the present owner) that same year.

Paul and his family moved to Clinton, TN in 1949 - 1950 to work for Holly Funeral Home for a short stay. Paul and his family moved back to Williamsburg to work for Ellison Funeral Home from 1950 to 1952. They then moved to Corbin, Kentucky where he was a partner with Alvia Vankirk and Everett Ridner at the Kincad Funeral Home, which is know Vankirk - Grissell Funeral Home. In November 1953 Paul was elected Whitley County Tax Commissioner and was re-elected in 1957; he served in that post from 1954 through 1962.

In June of 1954 Paul and his wife, Edna, established the Croley Funeral Home at its current location in Williamsburg, Kentucky. Paul continued to provide the best service until his untimely death in 1967 at the age of 39.

After Paul's death Edna received her Funeral Directors license and continued to run the family business and to teach until Jerry graduated from the Kentucky Mortuary School in 1971. Jerry has continued to provide the best service in the Williamsburg - Whitley County area with his son Jerry Andrew Croley, a third generation funeral director.

Our Staff

Edna Owens Croley Early

Edna, the daughter of the late Andy Bud Owens and Eva Bunch, attended Union College, Eastern Kentucky University and graduated from Cumberland College. She married Paul Croley in 1947. Their son, Jerry was born in 1949. Paul's experience included working for Holley Funeral Home in Clinton Tennessee, Kincaid Funeral Home in Corbin, Kentucky, and Ellison […]

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Willard Earl Douglas

Willard was born and raised at Jellico Creek Kentucky. He married Maymie Andrews in 1953 they have two children Rebecca Johnson and Marty Douglas. Willard and Maymie have two Granddaughters April Gibson and Heather Douglas. They have two Great Grandchildren Zack and Tristian Gibson. Willard along with his uncle Earl Douglas and father started Douglas […]

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Jerry Wayne Croley

Jerry is lifelong resident of Whitley County with rich roots in the community. Jerry attended Williamsburg Elementary School and Williamsburg High School and Graduated from the Tennessee Military Institute. He started his career at the Croley Funeral Home in 1967 following his high school graduation. While attending college at Cumberland College he obtained his Kentucky […]

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J. Andrew Croley

Andy Croley is a lifelong Williamsburg Resident. He graduated from Williamsburg High School, has his B.S. in Aeronautical Science and a Masters in Forensic Science. Andy is a graduate of Mid-America College of Funeral Services. He is the Past President of the Southeastern Funeral Directors District. Andy attended the American College of Forensic Examiners and […]

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Dolly

This is Dolly. She is a Golden Doodle Puppy who joined the staff of Croley Funeral Home in August 2019. She spends her days at the funeral home visiting with families at visitations and funerals. She loves visiting other businesses in town while on her walks. She especially loves the children who come to visit […]

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Natalie Young

Natalie Young serves as office manager and funeral director at Croley Funeral Home where she has been employed since 2005.  She has been a licensed funeral director since 2012. Born in Columbus, Ohio and formerly of Lexington, Kentucky; she is the daughter of the late Dr. Kenneth and Karen Tufts. She has been married to […]

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Jerry Elliott

Jerry has been in the funeral service business since May 1971. and currently is the Funeral Director/Embalmer for Croley Funeral Home. He has held this position since January 2000. A graduate of Corbin High School, Corbin, Kentucky, Jerry attended Cumberland College at Williamsburg, Kentucky and is a graduate of Mid-America College of Funeral Service, Jeffersonville, […]

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William "Bill" Meadors

William has been in the funeral service since 2011 and a Funeral Director for Croley Funeral Home and Deputy Coroner for Andy Croley, since 2013.  A graduate of Whitley County High School, Williamsburg, Kentucky and attended Western Kentucky University and Eastern Kentucky University,  He retired from the Kentucky Department of Parks after 31 years of […]

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William Steely

William is a lifelong resident of Williamsburg.  He is married to Lisa Prewitt Steely and the father of Brittany, Zack and Matthew.  William served his apprenticeship at Croley Funeral Home and became a licensed Funeral Director in 1999.  William is an avid supporter of Williamsburg sports.  He loves spending time with his family and especially […]

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Testimonials

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