Valley Falls- Abbott Lansing Wiley, a lifelong resident of Valley Falls, died peacefully at his residence, with his loving wife and family by his side, at the age of 100 years and eight months.
Born December 18, 1916, in Pittstown, Mr. Wiley was the son of the late Leonard J. and Alice (Sherman) Wiley and for over 71 years the husband of Ruth (Olney) Wiley of Valley Falls who survives.
Mr. Wiley attended the local district school and was a graduate of Lansingburgh High School. He attended the SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill for one year until enlisting in the United States Army on October 1, 1942.
After basic training, he was recommended to attend Officer Candidate School, was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, and sent to North Africa and Italy as part of the Fifth Army. He was promoted to Captain and Battery Commander of the 347th Field Artillery Battalion of the 91st Infantry Division. He saw combat during “Operation Italia” in nine Italian cities and surrounding areas earning three Battle Stars. When he was honorably discharged on February 6, 1946, he had earned the rank of Major and issued a Bronze Star for “Valor in combat while under enemy fire.”
Upon returning home at the end of the war, Mr. Wiley and his brother, purchased a local business in Valley Falls and established Wiley Brothers Inc., a family run lumber and home hardware supply company.
Mr. Wiley was active in local Republican politics, serving as the Town of Pittstown Supervisor, a Rensselaer County Legislator and a trustee of Hudson Valley Community College. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed hunting and fishing, and held memberships in several sportsmans clubs, including the Powamppokonk Rod and Gun Club in Pittstown.
Following his retirement in 2002, Mr. Wiley enjoyed his hobbies of gardening, traveling, wood working and hunting.
In addition to his wife he is survived by, his children, Lynn (Dennis) Latham of Stillwater, Carol Irvine of Baker City, OR and William (Sharon) Wiley of Cambridge, seven grandchildren, Mark Schaefer, Jennifer Schaefer, William (Melissa) Irvine, Andrew Irvine, Melanie (Kevin) Lemmer, Marina Wiley and Bryan Wiley, four great-grandchildren, Alexander and Madeline Irvine, Johan Lemmer and Mia Puglese, and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Wiley was predeceased by three brothers and a sister, Newton S., Ellen L., Harold J., and Charles M. Wiley.
A funeral service in Mr. Wiley’s honor will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at the Valley Falls United Methodist Church, 16 State Street, Valley Falls with a reception to follow at noon. Burial with military honors will take place at 1:30 P.M. at Elmwood Cemetery in Schaghticoke.
Memorial contributions may be made to either the Valley Falls United Methodist Church, 16 State Street, Valley Falls, NY 12185 or to the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Corps., 60 Parker School Road, Johnsonville, NY 12094.
Funeral service details are under the direction of the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, Raymertown, NY 12180.
Born December 18, 1916, in Pittstown, Mr. Wiley was the son of the late Leonard J. and Alice (Sherman) Wiley and for over 71 years the husband of Ruth (Olney) Wiley of Valley Falls who survives.
Mr. Wiley attended the local district school and was a graduate of Lansingburgh High School. He attended the SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill for one year until enlisting in the United States Army on October 1, 1942.
After basic training, he was recommended to attend Officer Candidate School, was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, and sent to North Africa and Italy as part of the Fifth Army. He was promoted to Captain and Battery Commander of the 347th Field Artillery Battalion of the 91st Infantry Division. He saw combat during “Operation Italia” in nine Italian cities and surrounding areas earning three Battle Stars. When he was honorably discharged on February 6, 1946, he had earned the rank of Major and issued a Bronze Star for “Valor in combat while under enemy fire.”
Upon returning home at the end of the war, Mr. Wiley and his brother, purchased a local business in Valley Falls and established Wiley Brothers Inc., a family run lumber and home hardware supply company.
Mr. Wiley was active in local Republican politics, serving as the Town of Pittstown Supervisor, a Rensselaer County Legislator and a trustee of Hudson Valley Community College. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed hunting and fishing, and held memberships in several sportsmans clubs, including the Powamppokonk Rod and Gun Club in Pittstown.
Following his retirement in 2002, Mr. Wiley enjoyed his hobbies of gardening, traveling, wood working and hunting.
In addition to his wife he is survived by, his children, Lynn (Dennis) Latham of Stillwater, Carol Irvine of Baker City, OR and William (Sharon) Wiley of Cambridge, seven grandchildren, Mark Schaefer, Jennifer Schaefer, William (Melissa) Irvine, Andrew Irvine, Melanie (Kevin) Lemmer, Marina Wiley and Bryan Wiley, four great-grandchildren, Alexander and Madeline Irvine, Johan Lemmer and Mia Puglese, and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Wiley was predeceased by three brothers and a sister, Newton S., Ellen L., Harold J., and Charles M. Wiley.
A funeral service in Mr. Wiley’s honor will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at the Valley Falls United Methodist Church, 16 State Street, Valley Falls with a reception to follow at noon. Burial with military honors will take place at 1:30 P.M. at Elmwood Cemetery in Schaghticoke.
Memorial contributions may be made to either the Valley Falls United Methodist Church, 16 State Street, Valley Falls, NY 12185 or to the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Corps., 60 Parker School Road, Johnsonville, NY 12094.
Funeral service details are under the direction of the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, Raymertown, NY 12180.