Len Ashley, 76, sales rep served in National Guard
December 21, 2023
Leonard E. Ashley Jr. of Surfside Beach died Dec. 13 at his home, “Beach Music.” He was 76.
Known as Len, he was born Nov. 19, 1947, in Chester, the son of Leonard E. Ashley and Allie Hathcock Ashley. He was raised by his stepmother, Mossie Ashley, after his mother died young. He graduated from Chester High School, where he played football and was in the band, and the University of South Carolina, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He joined the S.C. Army National Guard after graduation and served for 25 years, retiring as a major.
Mr. Ashley worked as a medical sales representative for Johnson & Johnson. He retired from PSS World Medical. Having lived in Columbia, during his working career, he retired to Surfside Beach. He was a member of Belin Memorial United Methodist Church. He enjoyed travel, USC football, being with friends and family around the pool at “Beach Music,” and walking his dog, Cookie, on the beach.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Ashley; his son, Elliott Ashley (Carla) and granddaughter, Cullum Ashley, of Columbia; his stepson, Ed Parler (Elizabeth) and grandchildren, Walker, Emma, Emerson and Eleanor Parler, of Pawleys Island.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. today at Belin Memorial United Methodist Church with interment in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation or to Tidelands Community Hospice, 259 N. Fraser St., Georgetown, SC 29440
There is a guest book at goldfinchfuneralhome.com.
