John Christopher Wiley, 69, of Prosser, passed away on April 17, 2014 at his home on the Horse Heaven Hills.
He was born on August 27, 1944 in Colfax, Washington to John Edward Wiley and Doris Jeanette (Ault) Wiley. His family made their home on the Horse Heaven Hills in 1946 and farmed wheat. Chris grew up on the farm and attended Prosser schools, graduating from Prosser High School in 1962. He played football and was on the track team. He was voted All Valley at right tackle and All Valley in discus. He attended Washington State University where he threw the discus and lettered as a freshman. After serving six years in the Army National Guard of Washington, he returned to the family farm and continued the wheat farming tradition. Chris married Janet Fay Collins on June 19, 1976 in Prosser.
Chris was a life member of the National Rifle Association and a life member and supporter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. He was a volunteer fire fighter for the Horse Heaven Fire Department for forty-five years and served as Commissioner of Fire District Five for thirty-two years. He also served on the Benton County Weed Board for over ten years and on the Pendleton Grain Grower’s Board and was a member of the Horse Heaven Community Club, Farm Bureau, Wheat Growers Association, Grandview Gun Club, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Chris was an avid Tri-City Americans hockey fan and Zamboni driver at the Toyota Center as well as a supporter and booster of Prosser High School sports. He enjoyed hunting, shooting, fishing, spending time in the mountains and reading. Many memories were shared on the Klickitat River with his best friend of fifty-five years, Bruce Wagner.
Chris touched many people’s lives and was a loyal friend. He was dedicated to anything he was involved in and to his community. Chris was blessed to have such great neighbors. The family extends their deep appreciation to them and to the members of District Five for their quick response. He will be deeply missed.
Chris is survived by his wife, Janet Wiley; two sons, Jason Wiley and his wife, Rachelle and Jeremy Wiley and his partner, RaDeena Schuldt all of Prosser; his daughter, Stacy Lorenz and her husband, Scott of West Richland; grandchildren, Jessica, Christopher, Anthony, Kaelan, Kaitlyn and Jonathan; nephew, Adam Wiley of Federal Way; niece, Sara Hughes of Kelso; his cousins and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his father, John Edward Wiley in 1976, his mother, Doris Jeanette Wiley in 2007; and his brother, Michael Wiley in 2002.
Visitation will be held at Prosser Funeral Home beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 24th. Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 6:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 25th at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Prosser. Concluding services and burial will follow in the Prosser Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation or the Horse Heaven Community Club.