William Earl Wiles
FARMINGTON — William Earl Wiles of Farmington, passed away on Wednesday, December 29, 2010, at Parkland Health Center at the age of 77. He was born on December 23, 1933, at Hopkins County, KY, son of the late Marquis DeLafayette and Annie (Willis) Wiles. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by brothers, Roy, John, Blaine, Orville, James and sisters, Daisy and Tilley.
William was raised in Hopkins County, Kentucky. He joined the U.S. Army at the age of 20 and proudly served his country during the Korean conflict stationed in Alaska. After his time in the service he came back to Kentucky and married the love of his life, Lula Wilson with whom he had corresponded during his time in Alaska. They raised their family in Madisonville, Kentucky before moving to Bonne Terre in 1971 and to Farmington in 1975. He spent more than thirty years as an explosives expert and retired in 1995 from ICI Explosives. He was a longtime member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Farmington where he served as Bishop of the Church for five years. He became a Master Gardner after his retirement and was a member of the board of MCII. In his spare time he enjoyed woodworking, gardening and spending time with his family. William stayed active helping others throughout his life.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Lula Belle; his children, Cindy (Mrs. Mike) McDaniel, Douglas Wiles and his wife, Susan, Brian Keith Wiles and his wife, Jenny, and Lee Wiles; Grandchildren, Chris McDaniel, Eric McDaniel, Marcus McDaniel, Douglas R. Wiles and his wife Mandy, Dustin Wiles and his wife Steph’annie, and Derek Wiles and his wife Katelyn; great-grandchildren, Andrew McDaniel, Angalena and Bailey McDaniel and Annie Sue Wiles. Other survivors include a a brother, Wille (Ona Mae) Wiles of Franklin, Kentucky, many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held today at 11:30 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Bishop Don Blum officiating. Memorials may be made to the Southeast Missouri Transportation Service (SMTS), P. O. Box 679, Fredericktown, MO 63645 or www.ridesmts.org. View Tribute Video and share your condolences and memories at cozean.biz.
