William E. Wiley, of Lincoln, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008 surrounded by his family.  He was 75.

He was born in Milford, Aug. 16, 1933, the oldest son of the late Edward and Emma Phillips Wiley. 

He graduated from Milford High School, Class of 1951, where he was called “Ed” by his classmates. He worked for H.R. Phillips, Inc., a fuel dealership until 1956 when he established Wiley Fuel Co. (and became known as William or Bill to his customers). He was the first local fuel dealer to expand the fuel business to include both heating oils and propane.

In addition to his other businesses, in 1973, he purchased the Pierce hardware building and established Wiley Hardware and Appliances, which was in business until the downtown Milford fire of 2003 destroyed the building.

William was involved in many civic organizations including Milford Rotary, Lions, Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Merchants Assoc. and as a Milford City Councilman for three terms between 1979 and 1987.

William was a long-time member of the Pilgrim Wesleyan Church at 803 S. E. Front St., Milford. He accepted Christ as his personal savior as a young man and continued to be a witness both in his private and public life.

He loved the outdoors, especially the many trips taken with his family to Skyline Drive, Williamsburg and most memorably the camping trip to Yellowstone.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Ethel Wiley, Phyllis Stratman and a brother, Robert James Wiley.

William is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Wiley, their four sons and families, David and Joyce Wiley of Milford; their children Tonia Mosley and her husband Charles, Daughters Alivia, Myriah and Chasity of Milford; David Edward Wiley and his wife Tammy, Children, Raelyn and David, Jr. of Smyrna; and Trudi Jones and her husband Don, Children, Erica, Christy and Christopher of Cambridge, Md.; Joseph and Renate Wiley of Milford, their daughters, Jennifer Wiley; Kristin Walters and her husband, Darryl, Children Quinn and Lily; and Jessica Wiley, daughter Emma of Milford. Kenneth and Kathryn Wiley of Woodstock Ga., their children, Samantha Wiley and her fiancé, Joshua Parker of Denton, Md.; Sarah Wiley; Shane Wiley of Woodstock, Ga.; Jason Easterwood and his wife Cyndi of Sugar Hill, Ga.; Justin Easterwood and his Wife Jen, Daughter Annabelle of Charlotte, N.C.; and John Stevens of Woodstock, Ga.; Thomas and Sandra Wiley; their daughter Taylor Wiley of Bear. William is also survived by a brother, Richard Wiley of Ellendale, a sister Doris Wiley Walls and her husband Wheeler of Huntsville, Ala.; a sister, Charlotte McClain and her Husband Carl of Toney, Ala., and a brother in law, John Williamson and his wife Phyllis of Seaford, plus many nieces and nephews.

His life was a testimony to his faith and his joy in being a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. His guidance, compassion and dedication will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Funeral services were held at Berry-short Funeral Home, on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Interment will be in Milford Community Cemetery.