Don is a veteran that served his country in the Vietnam War. He attended Coahoma County Community College and he continued his studies at Alcorn State University. He graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture. A few years later, he received his Master's degree in agriculture from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
He worked over 30 years as a county agent and he was a pioneer in this field by being one of the few African American agents in the area. He made it his mission to advocate for minority farmers. He was the leader of the 4-H division in Drew County where he supervised and taught gun safety, fish and wildlife education, archery, and other various activities. He hosted a local radio program on KHBM for a number of years to give horticulture tips to people in his community and he also held a position on the Mt. Zion Water Association board. He was a deacon at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church for nearly two decades, where he was dedicated to the pastor and members. He was an efficacious member of different organizations within southeast Arkansas.
He was a community leader and he influenced many lives. He never met a stranger and you can say he was a "social butterfly." He had a natural talent of connecting and forming relationships with people from all backgrounds. He devoted time selflessly to others by teaching, mentoring, and motivating others to excel in life. He also was a supporter for others to advance in life by completing a higher education or career training program. In his spare time, Don loved to fish, hunt, garden, cook, listen to music, play baseball, and watch his Alcorn Braves play ANY sport! Don was a lover of life, a conversationalist, and a true Alcornite. His family and friends will truly miss him.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Wiley; father, D.C. Wiley; four brothers- Gene Wiley, D.C. Wiley, James Wiley, and Charles Wiley; three sisters-Irma Jean Wiley, June Williams, and Marva Montgomery.
Don is survived by his wife of 40 years-Vera Wiley; children-Michael Binns, Kimberly Davis (Tony), Don Conley, and Gemekia Conley; siblings-Sonny Wiley (Jean), Calvin Wiley, Fabian Wiley (Crystal), Annie Ruth Wiley, and Margaret Wiley: nine grandchildren- Shawn Binns, Mercedes Binns, Dylan Binns, Michaela Binns, Alexia Davis, Solie Conley, Essence Conley, Kaige Conley, and Brooklynn Hallmon. He also leaves behind a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.
Funeral Services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 13, 2018 at First Baptist Eastside on Hwy 138, Monticello. Burial will follow with Military Honors in Oakland Cemetery. Online guestbook www.stephensondearman.com.
Condolences(18)
Sherry Carson
MONTICELLO, AR Monday, April 16, 2018 Sending sincere sympathy and prayers for comfort, peace, and strength. Don was such a good man and loved people!Brenda Binns
Monticello, AR Saturday, April 14, 2018 Praying for the families.Anita Norwood
Mound Bayou, MS Saturday, April 14, 2018 Deepest condolences, loving thoughts and continuous prayers to the Wiley family. Cousin Don was an amazing, interesting, knowledgeable, fun-loving man. He lived a courageous, full life. He will be missed!Bruce Brown
Monticello, AR Friday, April 13, 2018 Sorry to hear of Don's passing. I enjoyed scouting cotton with him. I'm sure he & Dad are busying farming, 4-H & fishing. Prayers from the Brown'sMary Lasiter
Wilmar, AR Thursday, April 12, 2018 Sincere sympathy to the family. James and I always enjoyed meeting and talking to Don. He was a great man and will be greatly missed. RIPLinnie & Jay Edwards
Mckinney, TX Thursday, April 12, 2018 Philippians1:21-23For to me live is Christ, and to die is gain.
If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.i am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
Dennis Wells
Springdale, AR Thursday, April 12, 2018 Sorry to hear of Don's passing. I worked at the Courthouse while Don was there. I always enjoyed talking to him. He was a good man. He will be missedDennis Wells
Robert and Gwendolyn Rafter
Eudora, AR Wednesday, April 11, 2018 You fought a good fight. You proved your strength and tenacity. You were a good friend and we will miss Don Willey the man full of knowledge and caring for others. Thank you for being a good friend. Dollar Bob will always remember you. Rest in peace now and we will all work to join you later in that beautiful garden in heaven.Shelia Ratledge
Thornton, CO Wednesday, April 11, 2018 Dear family ibam so sorry to learn about Mr. Don's passing but I am rejoicing for him because he is walking those streets of glory with our Heavenly Father. Mr. Don was a wonderful man who always had a story ready to tell. when we were kids in 4-H he was so kind and soft spoken but those big boys knew when they had overstepped Mr. Don was going to say something and put them in their place.and he always seemed to know so much about everything, he was a walking talking book of knowledge. I had no clue that he would remain a life long friend. I could see him uptown and he would ask about all the family even kids who lived with my parents years agohe seemed to remember and he cared for them. He never showed any difference to any of us or the kids who lived with us it didn't matter if we were white ,black ,hispanic, if they were foster children or not we were all just kids .we loved for Mr. Don to come out to cominto and fish with us ,he always seemed to enjoy himself too and enjoyed lunch time too . RIP Mr. DonBeatrice Mitchell
, TX Wednesday, April 11, 2018 My condolences to the family at this time of loss. The pain is great when we lose someone we love. God's promises give us hope. God promises a future with no suffering, sickness, pain, or even death. (Revelation 21:3,4) He also reunites families with those they have lost. (Acts 24:15)Look ahead to the time when death is "swallowed up forever." (Isaiah 25:8) In the meantime, reflect often on your happy memories and may they warm your hearts and bring you comfort.
Janice Gladden Wiggam
Hot Springs Village, AR Wednesday, April 11, 2018 So sorry to read about Don. He was a great leader for the Agricultural and Extension Services, a pleasure to work with. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May God give you peace and comfort in your loss.SUSIE CHADWICK
MONTICELLO, AR Tuesday, April 10, 2018 FAMILY, I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT DON. MAY GOD WRAP HIS LOVING ARMS AROUND EACH OF YOU AT THIS SAD TIME.Gail Kizer
, AR Tuesday, April 10, 2018 I worked as Don's secretary for over 20 years and he made my job so enjoyable. He was very easy to work with (after I learned to read his writing). He was always very positive and he and I had many discussions about the Lord and the Bible. One thing for sure, he loved his God! I'll miss him a lot. Condolences to Vera and Kim.Tanya Shegog Thomas
Crowder, MS Tuesday, April 10, 2018 RIP Uncle DonTrilisa Marshall
Monticello, AR Monday, April 9, 2018 Mrs. Wiley so sorry for your loss and praying for you and the family. You have my sympathy, prayers and love.Love,
Trilisa Marshall
Delois Ridgell
Monticello, AR Monday, April 9, 2018 Sorry for your loss. You are in my prayersDR Sam Wherry PhD
LITTLE ROCK, AR Monday, April 9, 2018 DON WILEY Retired Drew County Arkansas County Extention Agricultural Agent Passed from Mortality into Immortality:The Honorable Retired 1st Historic African-American via 1970 Nixon Affirmative Action all inclusive Integration came Don Wiley of Clarksdale Mississippi Drew County Arkansas County Extention Agricultural Agent Program as Assistant Agent to Larkin Brown and upon Brown's Retirement the Historic First African-American County Agent of whom was Par Excellence Performance Assessments Accomplished Horticultural and Farmers Resource Entity in Drew County and the Southeast Arkansas Lower Mississippi Delta Farming Region has passed from Mortality into Immortality.
Don Wiley was an outstanding Christian Gentlemen and Fellow as well Man of Honor and Integrity and Churchman during the T.S. Skipper Pastoral Era of the Historic Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church Monticello Arkansas where Wiley served as Deacon with Honor and Distinction.
The State of Arkansas and the United States Department of Agriculture was more than Blessed with Favor and Prosperous Service and Leadership from this Professional Proficient Academic Agricultural Extention Agent.
May God's Blessings Covering Favor be upon his beloved Honorable Spouse Vera Wiley, Members of his Family and Constituency he serviced at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church Monticello Arkansas and the First Missionary Baptist Church Eastside Monticello Arkansas.
Retired Drew County Arkansas County Extention Agricultural Agent
DON WILEY
Perry & Melanie Rawls
Monticello, AR Monday, April 9, 2018 Lifting the family in prayer. Kimberly had been like a daughter to us. The family will be in our prayers