Wiley L. Thomas' Obituary
?Wear us out in your service? was truly Wiley?s code to live by. He ended prayer with this phrase and tried to live it every day.
Wiley began his service to the Lord at an early age at his baptism into Christ. He taught Bible classes, worked with youth, led singing and organized one of the first acapella wedding choruses in East Texas. He served as a deacon at the Mobberly Ave Church of Christ where he was the music director for nearly 40 years. He also assisted in Vacation Bible School and used his vacation to help with gospel meetings from Oklahoma to New York City. He was truly dedicated to his service to the Lord.
Wiley graduated from White Oak High School with the class of 1942. He entered the service of his country shortly after graduation. He attended North State University in Aberdeen, N.D. and served in the Pacific theater as an army corporal in the medical corps. His service on the troop ship Sea Witch took him to the Philippines. He was honorably discharged from the 9222nd Technical Unit at Camp Beale, CA on October 2, 1945.
In the summer of 1946 Wiley met his wife of sixty years, Mary Jernigan, on her first Sunday at the Quitman & Center Church of Christ. They were married in March of 1947. They were blessed with one son, Wiley III in 1956.
Shortly after his discharge Wiley began work for the Palace Clothiers in Gladewater, moving to Hurwitz of Longview in 1951. He and Red Poole bought the Kilgore Hurwitz, opened The Hub in Longview and helped to purchase Hurwitz of Tyler. His work in sales found him clothing his loyal customers as far away as Africa.
Wiley served his community in many ways. He was loyal to his Alma Mater White Oak serving as the voice of the Roughnecks for 45 years, PTA, Gladewater Jaycee President, Longview Optimist Club President and President of the White Oak Lions Club, Vice President of the White Oak Band Boosters. Wiley was a member of the White Oak City Council and also helped organize the Chamber of Commerce for that city.
After retirement Wiley and Mary continued to be active in the community and around the country. They traveled to 49 states and Canada and served as campground hosts for the National Forest in Colorado. He made sourdough bread and cinnamon rolls and often donated these to the various groups in White Oak.
Wiley loved people and children. He cared especially for the work of Medina Children?s Home, serving on the development board for 14 years and organizing several local fund raisers. The family requests that memorials be made to Medina Children?s Home, Pine Tree Church of Christ building fund or the charity of your choice.
Wiley died Sunday morning, April 22nd at a Longview nursing center. Services will be held 11 AM Tuesday, April 24th at the Pine Tree Church of Christ with Ritchie Hamm, Robert Galvan, David Cotham and Dale Thomas officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wiley and Lyda Thomas and one sister, Wanda Handy. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Thomas of White Oak, son and daughter-in-law, Wiley, III and Judy Thomas of Longview, grandchildren and spouses, Lance Thomas and Michelle, Lindsay Cromwell and Chris; their mother and step-father, Janis and Hal Kirkpatrick; great grandchildren, Aaden Scott Thomas and Rylan Grace Thomas; step-grandchildren, Trey Braswell and Kelly Braswell; brothers and sisters-in-law, Dale and Pat Thomas of White Oak, Jimmy and Annice Thomas of Kerrville; sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Jerry Robinson of White Oak; and uncle and aunt, Paul and Wilma Ferrebee of Owaso, Oklahoma.
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