His dark good looks and booming voice won him

His dark good looks and booming voice won him roles in more than 50 “talkies" during the early days of Hollywood. He appeared with Humphrey Bogart, George Raft, Wallace Beery and Mickey Rooney as well as countless other stars. Nelson Eddy was a rival for the affection of Helen Shipman, whom Pawley later married. An earlier marriage ended in divorce.

Inseparable until her death in 1984, Helen and Edward returned East, where Edward accepted the role of Steve Wilson in “Big Town," a radio drama that ran for 13 years. It was during this time that the Pawleys discovered the Blue Ridge Mountains and Rappahannock County.

Mr. Pawley was born in 1901 in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joel Pawley. His parents had been pioneers in the settlement of the prairie. He got his start in show business by reading syndicated news over the wire.

His stentorian voice and loquacity stayed with him until his death, as did his love of drama. Friends gathered around him in his hospital room to read scenes from Shakespeare and from “Treasure Island,” a movie in which he’d appeared as a pirate. He was a man of remarkable dignity and integrity, loved by children and his rural community. He was a devoted patriot and often wrote poems that revealed a deep love of his country.

Some of his show business habits stayed with him until his death. He was known for staying up all night and sleeping a good part of the day. He loved music and in younger days often staged music festivals on the river flat below his home.

He is survived by his first wife Martina, a son John Herbert of Oregon, three grandsons and a grande daughter.

A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, Feb. 6, at 2 p.m. at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church near Woodville. There will be an opportunity for personal tributes to Mr. Pawley. Following the service there will be an informal potluck supper in the parish hall.

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