James E. Wiley

James E. Wiley, 86, of Amsterdam, died peacefully at home on September 22, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born April 25, 1938, in East Springfield, Ohio, the son of the late Walter Wiley and the late Virginia (Ash) Wiley. He was also preceded in death by his two brothers, William (Bill) Wiley and Glenn Wiley. Jim is survived by his loving wife of over 60 years, Ann (Ryan) Wiley and their four children, Michael (Sabrinna) of Buckhannon, WV, Susan (Rudy) School of Fairlawn, Barbara (Robert) Dooner of Shaker Heights, and Linda Hines (Jeff Forgrave) of Lancaster. Jim is loved by his many grandchildren Ashley, Jessica, Ryan, Kristen, Jonathan, Lauren, Caitlin, Sarah, Elizabeth, and Michael, and his great-grandchildren Mackenzie, Madison, Robert, Liam, Mya, Alice, Virginia, Eloise, Mara, Timothy, and Damiano, many nieces and nephews, and his beloved feline companion, Buddy. Jim graduated in 1956 from the former Springfield High School in Bergholz where he sang with his beautiful baritone voice in the Men’s Glee Club, and played football with his younger brother Glenn. Jim was a United States Army veteran, having served at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas and Neville Island in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a military police officer. After moving to Amsterdam and seeing Jim in (Elmer) Wardle’s Garage, Ann asked her dear friend Ethel Wardle to “fix them up”. Jim and Ann went on their first date in January, 1964. Six days after that they were engaged, and then married six months later. Their beautiful marriage lasted sixty years, and Elmer and Ethel would become godparents to their firstborn, Michael. Jim’s vocation was a highly sought-after millwright in the steel mills of the Ohio Valley, and later a maintenance supervisor for Edison Local School District, from where he retired in 1999. His true gift, however, was woodworking, furniture making, and woodturning. He crafted his beautiful, original work for his entire family, and then later gave away pieces from his own collection to family, friends, hospital roommates, and most recently, his hospice nurse, Tonnie. Every family member has a handcrafted bed, table, or other piece of furniture or a goblet, a bowl, a bookcase, or a pen that he crafted with love as a gifted and talented woodmaker. Jim lived for his family. He was an occasional hunter and avid fisherman, but was more likely found teaching his children to camp, boat and waterski, and his grandchildren target shooting and, most memorably, how to play a strategic game of Shanghai or Euchre. Jim was a longtime member of the Amsterdam Volunteer Fire Department. Jim and his brother Glenn built 2 water trucks/tankers for the fire department. Other memberships included The Loyal Order of the Moose, Lodge #1495, Amsterdam VFW Post 232, and he was a Benefactor Life Member of the National Rifle Association. Jim also served as water superintendent for the Village of Amsterdam. Funeral service and interment will be private. The Reverend Doctor Clint Quillen will officiate for the service. Interment will be at the East Springfield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers and to honor Jim’s life, the family requests memorial donations to Valley Hospice 10686 St. Rt. 150, Rayland Ohio, 43943 or to the Amsterdam VFW Post 232, 412 Liberty St., Amsterdam, Ohio 43903.

James E. Wiley

April 25, 1938 - September 22, 2024