Wiley Charles Wilson, 96, of Lawrence passed peacefully in his sleep September 18, 2023. Visitation will be held 7:00 p.m. Friday, September 22 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Gravesite inurnment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery 1:00 p.m. , Saturday, September 23.
Mr. Wilson was born November 24, 1926 at the family home to Della (Hatch) and Clarence E. Wilson. He was preceded in death by parents, Sisters Evelyn Roy, Reta Jacobs, Ruth Phillips, wife (Marie), and daughter Teresa Treanor (Mike), and son in law Ken Hamlin. Surviving are daughters Sandra Hamlin, St. Joseph, Missouri; Anita Bell (Leon), Tonganoxie; and Cynthia Glenn (Dave), Lecompton. He has 8 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Mr. Wilson served in World War II and was inducted and began his 2 ½ year military career at Camp Fannin, Tyler, Texas in 1945. His specialty was as an 81mm mortar crewman. Later in combat, he became known for his accuracy as a member of the 20th Infantry Regiment, 6th Division in the Philippine Islands and Korea. In Kwangju, Korea he guarded trains and prisoners while serving as a replacement military policeman.
After discharge, Mr. Wilson became a lineman for an electrical contractor travelling the state of Kansas. In Madison, Kansas he met and married Marie Muse on February 25, 1949. Returning to Lawrence, he worked 39 ½ years for Kansas Power and Light, currently Evergy, and retiring as a line foreman.
The family suggests memorials to the American Heart Association or to an organization of their choice, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, KS 66046.
Uncle Wiley was a fabulous human being. I remember as a kid how much fun he was. He never shooed us kids away like most of the adults did. He would get down and play and enjoy goofing around. That was always magical to me. My favorite memory was back in the early 2000s when we came to visit and he asked for the “old man tag”(disabled parking permit) out of his glove box that gave him primo parking. He was a character and was admired greatly. He will truly be missed.
Sandy and Anita – my deepest sympathies.
Losing your dad is a special sorrow.
Mr Wilson was one of my favorite people. He always had a smile on his face and I felt special in his eyes. My prayers and love to the family. Hold on to those fond memories. ❤️❤️
Mr. Wilson was one of my favorites! He always had a smile on his face and I felt like I was special in his eyes. My prayers and love to the family. Hold on to those fond memories. ❤️
We want to celebrate our beloved Uncle Wiley’s life. He was indeed the grandfather figure for our now older adult children. Both of our childrens’ grandfathers were gone long before they were born. Uncle Wiley was a wonderful man and we will cherish all the precious memories. The Phillips Cousins in Ohio.
He was my favorite uncle. We shared quite a few memories and stories I Best not reveal. He so enjoyed riding around in my pickup, looking at power lines he and crew built. One of his favorite was how he climbed the 90 ft pole at the river crossing in the Eudora bottoms.
I’m sure he has many a tail to recall when with all those lineman who passed before him.
He will be missed very much by Sonja and myself.
Dear Anita: I admired your father, greatly. We always had good visits when he came to our offices. He was a good man and I admired him a lot. My sincerest condolences to you all. George
What can you say about my U Wiley, but He was one of the greatest men I ever knew. (U Jake is up there beside Him). I just hope He and Larry are up in heaven watching some baseball games together. They were like two little boys having a ball when we would go see the (then) KC Athletics. And he better wait for me if he’s planning on doing any pain ring up there. Such good memories I have of this special man. Miss him terribly. Rest in peace U Wiley, you’ve earned the right to have a big party with all the family who went before you. Love you❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
He was truly such a blessing to all of our families for all of our lives!!!
Wilson Family, please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. Wiley worked with two of my brothers, Larry & Dennis Rider at KP&L. You might say that’s how I came to know Wiley. He was such a gentleman & never failed to say hello when we would run into one another. He will be sorely missed.
What a pleasure it was to know such a great man. He never knew a stranger and everyone was family. Rest in Peace with the Lord. Much love, Tracy Rose
Wiley worked with my husband Neil for many years at KPL, and Neil thought so much of him. Wiley lived across the street from me when I lived on Lake St. in the 1980s. Such a nice man — and a good dancer, too! My thoughts and prayers are with the Wilson family.
Uncle Wiley was one of two uncles who were role models for me in my younger days. My own father passed away when I was a very young child, so he and Uncle Jake stepped up and filled that void for me. I could always count on either one of them to talk with me and straighten me out when I needed it. I will miss Uncle Wiley more than words can say. The one consolation I have is that he has now reunited with all our family who were part of the Greatest Generation. May he rest in peace in the arms of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
So sorry for your loss He will always be remembered how fun he was when we were next door neighbors when I was growing up and all you girls too. Another thing I remember about him is he was always happy and smiling just like in this picture