Ben Hill Manley, Sr.

Mr. Ben Hill Manley, Sr. age 88, of Lexington, SC formerly of Macon, and Griffin passed away Tuesday, October 19, 2010. Mr. Manley was born April 26, 1922 in Spalding County, Georgia to the late Goodrich Manley and the late Opal Hill Andrews Manley. Mr. Manley was preceded in death by his wife Vada Laverne Sheffield Manley. He was a member of Hillcrest United Methodist Church in Macon. Immediately upon graduation from the Georgia Academy for the Blind, he became an Industrial Arts instructor and Piano Tuning teacher there. Subsequently he started his own business, selling, tuning and repairing pianos. It was in this capacity that he was most noted. Most piano teachers in the middle Georgia area knew him well and recommended his services. He tuned the pianos of most churches, schools, and colleges in the area. His talent took him into the homes and businesses of the wealthy and the poor. He tuned pianos in recording studios throughout the state for musicians and groups including the Allman Brothers Band and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The Baldwin piano company arranged to have him tune the pianos that were played in local concert appearances by the famous piano duo, Ferrante and Teicher. The one thing all had in common was a piano that needed his keen ear. Being blind since birth he required a driver to take him to his scheduled appointments. Over the years he trained his drivers the art of tuning and repairing pianos. Many went on to start their own piano tuning and repair businesses. Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Roy and Lynne M. Manley of Rockville, MD, Edwin and Sandra B. Manley of Lexington, S.C., Ben Hill Manley Jr. and Amy R. Schwab, of Chamblee, GA.; grandchildren, Lt. Edwin Manley, Jr., MD, U.S. Navy, Brian Lee and Kathleen Manley; Melanie Lauren Manley, Jason and Dawn Manley, Kevin and Debbie Mixon; great grandchildren, C.J., Jessica, Kristin, Trista, and Riley; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Mr. Ben Hill Manley, Sr. will be conducted Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. Reverend Gene Walton will officiate. Friends may visit the family from 1:00 p.m. until the funeral hour. Interment will follow in the Griffin Family Cemetery.

Ben Hill Manley, Sr.

April 26, 1922 - October 19, 2010