Farewell and Walk with God ~ Lt Col James L Wiley

Lt. Col. James L. Wiley, Jr
Died September 18, 2008
Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan

A son of Oregon, Lt Col, James L Wiley, 46, of North Bend, Ore., died Sept. 18 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained in a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 27th Brigade Combat Team, New York Army National Guard, Syracuse, N.Y.

Lt Col Wiley was a native of the coast community of North Bend, graduated from North Bend High School in 1979 and he received a degree in marketing and management from the University of Oregon and was also a part of ROTC. He received a degree in law in 1991 from the Willamette University School of Law.

He became a military attorney in Germany. About a year ago, he decided to don fatigues again and take a final tour. And, as Afghanistan has done to many before him, he became a humanitarian and advocate for the children of Afghanistan.

James Wiley collected clothing and inspired members of his mother's church to make hats, scarves and gloves and organized clothing drives through the Oregon State Bar. Before his deployment to Afghanistan, he inspired his mother's church to send hats to the wounded in Germany.

As with so many before him, Afghanistan made him a new person, Ruth Wiley said. "He said he had found the new Jim over there. He was really learning a lot from these children."

Before his service with the New York Army National Guard, Wiley served in 1986 with the Oregon National Guard A Company, Second Battalion, 162nd Infantry, and later with Troop E of the 116th Calvary in Woodburn.

He is survived by his wife, Theresa; three daughters - Ruth, Jamie and Sarah; and his parents, Ruth and James L. Wiley Sr.

From the comments section of his hometown newspaper:

I served with Jim in Mannheim and will always cherish my memories of him. He was truly a class act and his absence leaves a hole that can never be filled. He tried to leave the world a better place than he found it -- there are many who remain to prove that he succeeded.

Jim was a great man. His compassion for others made him a spectacular officer and gentlemen. He will be missed. - A Fellow Soldier

I am sorry to here of your sons passing. I know how proud you are and have always been of his service. We all know that he was where he believed he needed to be and he made a difference. After all that is why our men and women are over there, and he did us all proud. Rest in peace Jim.

The Patriot Guard Riders will be escorting LTC James Wiley on his return home, Friday, SEP 26 time TBA at North Bend Airport, North Bend Oregon.

They have been invited by the Family to provide a Missing Man Formation Escort to the North Bend High School from the North Bend Chapel at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday SEP 27 and provide a flag line for the Memorial Service at the North Bend High School scheduled for 11:00 a.m. We will then provide an escort for LTC James Wiley, Jr and his family to Sunset Memorial Cemetery in honoring this American Hero and his brave family.