A Celebration of Life for Lyman T. Wiley, 92, Lawrence, will be at 3 pm Wednesday, August 19, 2015, at Cottonwood, Inc., 2801 W. 31st. St., Lawrence. Mr. Wiley died Friday, July 24, 2015, at Bridge Haven at Alvamar.
He was born Apr. 16, 1923, in Lawrence, the son of Samuel David and Anna Mae Griffitts Wiley. He attended Lawrence schools, and graduated from Liberty Memorial High School. Mr. Wiley entered service with the United States Army in 1943, serving in Okinawa, Guam, and Hawaii. He was wounded June 6, 1945, and earned the rank of T/5 and a Purple Heart and Combat Medical Badge. Lyman later enjoyed a long career with Jim Clark Motors spanning nearly 50 years, in the positions of salesman, general manager, president, and human resources manager.
Near and dear to his heart was the work he and his wife, Bryona, and Dr. Vernon and Jessie Branson did to establish Cottonwood, Inc. Both families had disabled sons, and did not believe they should be closeted, as was commonplace in the mid 1950’s. In 1956, the Douglas County Association for Retarded Children (DCARC) held its first classes for the educable retarded children of Douglas County on the third floor of the old Manuel High School at 9th & Kentucky. In 1972, Cottonwood was born, on land purchased by Mrs. Petey Cerf. Lyman’s tireless work to improve education and work opportunities for the disabled earned him the Sertoman of the Year award and admiration from those inside and outside the Cottonwood family. A sure way to elicit a smile from Lyman was to have him reminisce about his efforts to improve the opportunities now available to the mentally challenged of Douglas County.
He married Bryona Pence on Dec. 5, 1942, in Eudora. She preceded him in death, as did his parents, brothers Hugh A. Wiley, Lauren W. Wiley, and William Gale Wiley, sisters Ruth A. Wiley and Helen M. Wiley, and a son, Ted Wiley. Survivors include a daughter, Teri Wiley, Lawrence; three grandchildren, and one great grandson.
In keeping with Lyman’s wishes, the family suggests memorial contributions to Cottonwood, Inc., 2801 W. 31st St., Lawrence, KS, 66047. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.
All of us at Cottonwood are deeply saddened in the loss of Lyman Wiley. We are forever grateful for the tireless efforts of Lyman and Bryona, along with the other founding families who started Cottonwood. There are so many fond memories of the Kansas Open Golf Tournament and the many other activities that Lyman would help with and attend. Lyman would smile with pride when hearing about all the accomplishments of Cottonwood and how it has grown over the years. He will be missed but not forgotten.
The Cottonwood family has lost one of it’s last remaining Founders in Lyman Wiley. He was such a dear man who cared so much for Cottonwood and those persons with developmental disabilities that we support. He would come to many of the activities at Cottonwood–he especially loved to visit folks at the Retirement Program downtown. Lyman & Bryona have made such a difference in the lives of so many with their unwavering support of Cottonwood through the past 43 years. They are missed!
So sorry for your loss hope you are doing well
Sorry we are not there
Teri, I am so sorry to hear about your father passing. He was a lovely gentleman and I know you will miss him. Blessings and peace to you during this sorrowful time.
Teri, I am so sorry for your loss. Your father was a very lovely person. I met him through Dr. Paul Kincaid and had several weekly Saturday morning breakfasts at Perkins. He was always so kind and gracious to me. He seemed to miss your mother so much.
Deepest Sympathy for your loss. I knew your Dad through my job at the vehicle department working with him for years until his final retirement from Jim Clark and my change to a different job. Over those years he became a good friend. Lyman was a gentleman from a time where kindness and respect were how business was done. He was so proud of all of his family and a wonderful advocate for Cottonwood. He’ll be missed.
So sorry for your loss…I worked with Ted at cottonwood. Lyman always called me blue eyes because that’s what Ted always called me. Lyman was a wonderful man and will be deaply missed.
While working at Jim Clark Motors Lyman and I had some interesting conversations. Some kind of heated. I have to smile when I think of them now. Teri I lost my mom July 3. My condolences. I am starting to feel better and you will too.
I had known Lyman since I was a child, he had worked for and with my Dad for the better part of my life. As I grew from a child into adulthood my husband also worked with him, so I knew him well. Lyman always treated people with kindness and respect. He and Bryona gave unselfishly of themselves to the community and most importantly to Cottonwood. They have left an indelible and amazing legacy in Cottonwood, which would never have come to exist without their determination and perseverance. His passing does mark the end of an era and Teri, it is with great sadness that I send you my love and sympathy. He will be missed by all who knew him.