William "Bill" David Barley PhD

Bill didn’t want a big obituary in the paper, so, as his wife, I decided to write one for him. On February 28, 1950, William David Barley was born at Great Lakes Naval Hospital outside of Chicago, Illinois, to Irvin J. Barley and Josephine E. Triana Barley. Bill’s father was in the Army, so the family traveled around, living in Germany a couple of times, but eventually settling down in San Antonio, Texas. Bill shared many wonderful stories of his family. When Bill started grade school at St. Gregory’s Catholic School in San Antonio, he met 2 guys, David and Roger, who would become lifelong friends. Bill talked about the trips and other adventures they had together over the years. Roger and David were able to visit and spend time with Bill over the last few months while Bill was still able to enjoy their company. Bill found his calling in clinical psychology. He finished grad school at Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas, and did his internship in Kansas City. While there, he saw a job posted on a bulletin board for a clinical psychologist at Highland Hospital in Asheville, NC. He came to Asheville for the interview and was taken to lunch on the Terrace of the Grove Park Inn. It was there that he fell in love with Asheville. Bill accepted the job offer and moved to Asheville with his cat Susie in January 1980. Shortly after Bill moved to Asheville, he was in the cafeteria at Highland Hospital having lunch. A really cute lady (his future wife, Carol Anne Aenchbacher) sat down beside him, and as Bill would say, “the rest is history.” Bill and Carol were married on May 22, 1982, in Asheville. Many of you who might be reading this probably attended the ceremony almost 44 years ago. Bill and I have treasured your friendships over the years. Bill and Carol didn’t have children, but discovered early on that they loved animals. Bill’s cat, Susie, was the first. Over the years, they adopted and gave a good, loving home to more than 40 cats and dogs. Bill loved to read and listen to music of any genre. He was never without a book in his hands! When he and Carol would travel, Bill would start weeks ahead of the trip, choosing which books he would take. Carol would then have to tell him to lighten the load and make room for some clothes! Bill loved the life he had with Carol. He loved to sit on the deck with a book, a drink, and dogs sitting at his feet. He told Carol many times that this is what he had always dreamed about us having together. Bill leaves behind a loving family who will always remember and think of him: his brother Father Thomas Barley of West Texas, and sister Ann Barley Rowell, her husband Art, and children Liz and Joe. Carol’s family took Bill into their lives and enjoyed times together, visiting and traveling. One of Bill’s favorite trips was to spend a week at Edisto Beach, SC, with Carol’s family, where he could relax and read more books! He is loved by his other family, Richard Aenchbacher, Mary A. Summer, and Suellen A. Moseley, their spouses, nieces Jessica and Taylor, and grandnieces Rebecca, Riley, and Nora. From his wife Carol: Bill, I miss you more than you know. This past Christmas, you gave me a beautiful plaque that says, “Blossom and Bloom” (I’m an avid gardener), and you told me this is what you wanted me to do when you’re gone. We knew this would be our last Christmas. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bill’s honor can be made to Asheville Humane Society and Brother Wolf Animal Rescue. Thank you all for being a part of our lives.

Tributes

William "Bill" David Barley PhD

February 28, 1950 - March 6, 2026