Harry Gregory Weldy, age 88, of Rising Sun, MD, peacefully passed away on Monday, May 24, 2021, surrounded by his family.

Harry was born in Beaumont, Mississippi on January 15, 1933. He was the youngest child of Robert L. and Effie Kittrell Weldy’s 13 children.

Harry is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Betty Bannister Weldy; two sons Robert L. Weldy (Patricia Williams) of Starrucca, PA and Harry Gregory Weldy, Jr. (Cara Alexander) of Highland, MD; and two daughters Teresa Johnson Connelly (Paul Butch Connelly) of Rising Sun, MD, and Tina M Batt (William T Batt)of Hampstead, NC. He has 12 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his son Rodger A. Weldy and grandson Tyler A. Weldy as well as his parents and his siblings (George, Esther, Robert, Alma, Jewel, Terry, Webber, Helen Bernice, Dorothy, Jeannette, Colleen, and Lyndell Sue) and their spouses.

Harry left home at 17 to join the Navy and see the world. After his first enlistment he returned to Beaumont for a short time before re-enlisting. During his time in the Navy he served aboard the USS Palau (CVE-122), the USS Hornet (CVA-12), the USS FD Roosevelt (CVA42), the USS Mills (DER-383), the USS Little Rock (CLG-4) and the USS Columbus (CG-12). He toured the world from Norfolk, VA to the Med, through the Suez Canal and the Indian Ocean to Antarctica, from the China Sea to San Francisco, through the Panama Canal to islands of the Caribbean Sea. He crossed the Equator six times. He retired from the US Navy as a Chief Petty Officer in January 1972 after serving honorably for 22 years. One of his proudest accomplishments was working with his wife Betty to establish The USS Palau Association and organizing reunion events for the sailors who served on the USS Palau so long ago.

Harry’s second career was working at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Civilian Personnel. As a staffing specialist he helped so many people find employment in Civil Service at APG and Edgewood Arsenal. He was always happy to help, especially local people and veterans. He retired from APG in 1988 after 14 years.
In retirement Harry enjoyed gardening and traveling with his wife all over the United States and Canada. They travelled to all 50 US states. They enjoyed visiting their children and his siblings who were scattered all over the US. They visited many national parks and military bases.

Harry will be remembered for his love of his country, his service to his nation, his love of a good time, a good story and a good laugh, and his love of his family and friends.

Services will be held Friday June 4, 2021 at 1:00 PM at R.T. Foard Funeral Home, 111 South Queen Street, Rising Sun. MD 21911. Visitation will be from noon until 1:00 PM. He will be laid to rest with military honors at Brookview Cemetery in Rising Sun. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made payable to “Janes United Methodist Church”, “Rising Sun Community Fire Department” or your local Hospice in Harry’s memory and sent in care of the funeral home: P.O. Box 248, Rising Sun, MD 21911.