Walleys Take Over at Historic Colonial Funeral Home in Leesburg

Most people who’ve driven along Edwards Ferry Road in downtown Leesburg are familiar with the 1940 Packard Hearse sitting out in front of Colonial Funeral Home. Anyone who knows the vehicle, probably know the business, if he or she hasn’t actually paid a visit there to pay last respects to a friend or family member.

Last month, funeral director Greg Walley announced that he and his wife Suzanne purchased the business. Walley has been with Colonial since 2003.

Colonial was first established in 1887 at the corner of Loudoun and Wirt streets by Charles Birkby and Lloyd Slack. Stanley Reed and Lawrence Muse took over the business in 1960 and moved it to it’s current location under the moniker Muse and Reed Funeral Home. A partnership took over the business in 1982 that included Gary Totman and Georgia Bange, and changed the name back to Colonial.

Former Leesburg mayor, councilmember and Loudoun supervisor Jim Clem co-owned the business until this year. He remains listed as a consultant on Colonial’s website.

Greg Walley, a licensed funeral director in Virginia and Washington, DC, has three decades of experience.

"We are going to continue to maintain and provide professional and courteous service to the families of Leesburg and Loudoun that they have come to expect from Colonial Funeral Home," Greg Walley said in a statement. "We are dedicated to serving this community and its families in their time of greatest need."

Greg's brother, Darrell Walley, a Leesburg resident and a licensed Virginia funeral director will assist at Colonial.

Colonial serves all of Loudoun County.