Wendell Ray Wiley

Wendell Ray Wiley died on August 5, 2025, just a few weeks shy of his 86th birthday.  He died at his home in Brevard, North Carolina, after a full, active life.  He was lovingly cared for at home in his final months of life by his wife Brenda.

Wendell was born on August 27, 1939 and grew up and attended school in Paintsville, Kentucky.  He attended and graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a degree in Accounting.

Wendell worked for many years in Kentucky in hospital finance administration, most recently at Berea Hospital in Berea, Kentucky.  While at Berea Hospital, he met his future wife Brenda who worked there as a registered nurse.  They quickly fell in love and were married 11 months after their first meeting on April 29,1980, in Shakertown Kentucky.

Brenda and Wendell lived in Berea Kentucky and would take vacations in various outdoor locations where they could hike and bike together.  During one of those vacations they discovered the community of Sherwood Forest in Brevard, North Carolina and instantly knew this was where they wanted to build a home and live their retirement years.  Their dream became reality when Wendell retired and they moved there in 1999.

Wendell enjoyed a very active retirement and indeed retired early in order to run and bicycle full time.  He was an avid sports fan and was always loyal in following Kentucky Wildcats basketball.  Every year during March Madness, he faithfully prepared his bracket and enjoyed following the outcome.  Wendell was also a voracious reader and a keen investor.  Brenda and Wendell took in numerous stray cats and dogs through the years, each of whom became dear family members.

Wendell is survived by his wife of 45 years Brenda Jean Wiley, and their beloved dog Carly. He is also survived by sister-in-law Diane Wiley and nephews Mark and Chris.  Also surviving him are Brenda’s siblings, Mark, Marlys, Jan and her husband Sonny, and Sara and her partner Brian.  Numerous cousins also survive him.

Wendell was preceded in death by his mother Verla Wiley, brother Dave Wiley, parents-in-law Russ and Jean Boettner and brother-in-law Jim Schneider.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers and staff at Four Seasons Hospice who helped Brenda care for Wendell during his final weeks of life.  Special thanks also to Asheville Area Alternative Funeral & Cremation Services for their dignified assistance.

A celebration of life memorial gathering will be held on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 3 PM at Carolina Memorial Sanctuary in Mills River, North Carolina.  If you wish to make a charitable donation honoring Wendell’s memory, please consider Almost Home Dog Rescue NC: https://www.almosthomedogrescuenc.com/; or Four Seasons Hospice: https://fourseasonscare.org/.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wendell Ray Wiley, please visit our floral store.