George Stanley

George Nathan “Sonny” Stanley, 79, of Surfside Beach, S.C. passed peacefully July 24 at home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born Jan. 25, 1937, in Greenville, Miss., son of the late Roy Monroe Stanley Jr. and Magie Idella (Smith) Stanley. George was raised in Vicksburg, Miss., where the family moved shortly after he was born.

In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his wife and life-mate, Barbara Goettler; brother, Roy Monroe Stanley, Jr.; and sister, Jamie Lee (Stanley) Miller.

George proudly served his country in the Army National Guard from 1956 until 1963. During that time, he was on active duty from September 1957 until March 1958.

George graduated high school from CCHS and he was an avid sports fanatic and was quite the athlete. He played basketball, football, ran track and, his favorite, baseball. He was known as the “tough dog,” and if you were ever picking teams, you would want “Sonny” on your side.

George was a successful businessman and owned and operated his own real estate company in Butler, and continued his work after retiring to the Grand Strand of South Carolina.

After retirement, he and his angel, Barbara, the love of his life, spent all of their time together reading and enjoying movies, bird-watching, keeping in touch with children and grandchildren, and simply loving each other. George was an incredibly strong man with a gentle, generous and nurturing soul. He will be deeply missed.

He leaves to cherish his memory his children, Barry Stanley of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Bruce Goettler and his wife, Polly, of Butler, John Goettler and his wife, Janice, of Surfside Beach, S.C., Bobby Goettler and his wife, Kimmie, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Steve Goettler and his wife, Jennifer, of Butler, and Jeanne Sutton and her husband, JT, of Morgantown, W.Va.; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his sisters, Betty Imogean (Stanley) Hickman and her husband, Paul, and Mary Jane (Stanley) Anglin-Anderson and her husband, Marvin; brothers, James Marion Stanley and his wife, Bobbye, and William Earl Stanley and his wife, Carol; and several nieces and nephews.

STANLEY — Per the request of George Nathan “Sonny” Stanley, who died on Sunday, July 24, 2016, there will be no formal services.The family gathered at George's home at 9 a.m. July 30 to celebrate his life and honor him with military honors by the Army National Guard.The family would like to thank the entire staff of Lower Cape Fear Hospice Mercy Care for their compassionate care, love and support.In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice Mercy Care, 8216 Devon Court, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572.Burroughs Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Murrells Inlet, S.C., is assisting the family.Online condolences may be directed to www.burroughsfh.com.