Ernie Lee Gulley, age 68, of Muses Mills, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, June 4, 2015, at his home.

Ernie was born January 21, 1947, in Muses Mills, a son of the late John Osel Gulley, Jr., and Julia Faye Smalley Gulley.

Ernie retired from Tinnerman Palnut after 45 years of service. He was an avid fisherman, faithful follower of the Cincinnati Reds and enjoyed watching dirt racing. He attended Muses Mills Church, where he would meet his future wife, faithfully attending together for 48 years. Ernie volunteered his time mowing the church yard.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Joyce Shields Gulley; sisters, Margie (Ronnie) Newsom Littleton, Cathy (Billy) Hilterbrand, Charlotte Johnson; brother, Roger (Dana) Gulley; and one special aunt, Gladys Smalley Staggs.

Besides his parents, Ernie was preceded in death by a brother, Ricky D. Gulley; a special brother-in-law Ed Newsom; brother-in-laws Larry and Brian Shields.

Funeral services will be at 11a.m. Sunday, June 7, 2015, at Muses Mills Christian Church with Bro. Doug Reeves and Bro. James Deatley officiating. Burial will follow in the Muses Mills Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-8 PM Saturday at Boone - Nickell Funeral Home and after 10 AM Sunday at the church.

Active pallbearers will be Jimmy Compton, Jack Shields, Roger Gulley, Dwayne Newsom, Rocky Shields, James Deatley, Scott Johnson, and Alec Hart.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Cooper, Steve Shields, Richard Shields, Dennis Deatley, Ronnie Littleton, and Gene Newsom.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cancer Care Club, P. O. Box 189, Flemingsburg, KY 41041 or Old Muses Mills Cemetery, C/O Marsha Helterbrand, P.O. Box 2, Hillsboro, KY 41049.

Boone - Nickell Funeral Home is caring for all arrangements for the Gulley family.

Friends may sign an online guestbook at www.boonenickellfuneralhome.com.