Jerry Robert Buckley

January 11, 1932 — June 20, 2017

Jerry R. Buckley, 85, of Williamstown, WV died on June 20 at Marietta Memorial Hospital with his wife at his side.

He was born in Marietta, Ohio. His parents were Willis Frederick Buckley and Laura Stevens Buckley. After serving in the U.S. Air Force he completed his college degree and earned a Masters of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School. Following a brief pastorate in New England, Buckley worked as a social worker for the state of New Hampshire, caring primarily for the elderly and disabled. He was a Christian man who loved and served God.

Buckley's greatest gift was the love of his wife, the former Mary Katherine Sifferd, a wonderful Christian woman and outstanding musician. They were married nearly 60 years. He nicked named her "Bird."

In 1992 he inherited Buckley Island and the Waverly Road farm from Howard G. Buckley, his uncle. He devoted several years to searching for the ideal property owner, spurning development offers. In 1998 he completed the transfer of Buckley Island and the farm to the Fish and Wildlife Service, US Department of the Interior. Buckley Island is now part of the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge with headquarters on Waverly Road.

Buckley is survived by his wife, his brother, Steven F. Buckley, of Brockport, NY, and sister, Laurel Shackelford, of San Francisco.

The memorial service will be at First Presbyterian Church in Marietta on Saturday, July 22 at 11 a.m. with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to make a donation to the charity of their choice or to the church Memorial Fund.

The Marietta Chapel of Cawley & Peoples Funeral Home is honored to serve the Buckley family.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jerry Robert Buckley, please visit our flower store.

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