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Willard Charles "Doc" Wiley, Colonel USAF (Ret.), died Saturday, February 17, 2007, in Albuquerque, NM. Doc was born in Fairbury, NE, on June 7, 1921. "Doc" was a one in a million parent, friend, and mentor, enriching the hearts and lives of everyone he touched. His sense of humor, fairness, and kindness will be carried on by so many people and continue his memory as others go through life with the lessons and experiences he gave to them, always helping others to strive to be the very best they could be. We will all miss him very much. As a child, Doc and his parents, Charles Ross and Lucille Bond Wiley, along with sisters, Dorothy and Kay headed for California, but not before stopping to spend several years in Douglas and Casper, WY. After Wyoming, the family relocated to Monrovia, CA where Doc attended Pasadena Junior College. After graduation, Doc went to work for the Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach, CA, where he worked throughout WWII as a Procurement Agent under the US Civil Service. His position was that of Government Aircraft Inspector, and his duties included inspecting airplanes coming off of the assembly line that would be used by the military. He had tried on multiple occasions to enter active service but was deferred from the draft because of his status as "an essential wartime worker". This first job of his "adult" life in the world of aviation formed the basis around which the rest of his life would revolve. Joining the Army Air Corps in 1945 Doc attended Officer Candidate School, receiving his commission the following year. He served his country in many foreign locations, including Japan, Turkey, and Germany, as well as extensive duty at Sandia Base in Albuquerque. During his first assignment at Sandia Base in the 1950s, he met and married Helen Marovich and together they had three children: daughters, Roxanne and Pamela, and son, Charles. At the end of his final assignment at Sandia in 1970 Doc retired from the Air Force with the rank of Colonel and resided in Albuquerque the remainder of his life. While in the Air Force, Doc completed his collegiate studies, receiving his Bachelor Degree at Florida State University. Doc was a member of the National Rifle Association and was designated as the Team Captain for the Air Force Rifle Team and competed in the National Rifle Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio. After "retirement", Doc continued his aviation-centered life using his skill, vast aviation knowledge, and training to bring the thrill of flying to many people in the Albuquerque area. He held numerous FAA ratings, including Certified Flight Instructor-Instruments, multi-engine, glider, helicopter, and Air Transport Pilot. He was also endorsed by the FAA as a Senior Parachute Rigger and was a member of the Greater Albuquerque Sport Parachuting (GASP) association. Doc was a member of the Soaring Hall of Fame and had held several records for glider accomplishments including national high altitude and distance records. During the 1970-1980 period, Doc worked for Albuquerque based Rancher's Exploration and Development, which was headed up by the late Maxie Anderson. He served as Chief Pilot for Rancher's and was the Flight Director for all of Maxie's long distance helium balloon efforts, including the Double Eagle I and Double Eagle II flights in 1977 and 1978, with the DEII flight becoming the first successful crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in a balloon. In 1980, he was Flight Director of the first successful Trans America balloon flight, with Maxie and Kris Anderson in the "Kitty Hawk". He was similarly involved with Per Lindstrom and Richard Branson during their history making balloon flight from Japan to Canada. Doc worked with Per during his record setting World High Altitude Hot Air Balloon flights in the 1980s. Doc was preceded in death by his previous wife, Helen M. Wiley, as well as his younger sister, Kay D. Davis. He is survived by his three loving children, Roxanne K. Wiley of Denver, Pamela L. Wiley of Albuquerque, and Charles A. Wiley, currently in the Air Force and stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona; Pamela's son and Doc's beloved only grandchild, Aaron C. Wiley; Charles' fiancee, Susan M. Casto; sister, Dorothy L. Carlson of Arlington, VA; nieces, Joanna L. Carlson-Yohe and Kathleen R. Lunetto; nephew, Robert L. Carlson; and very special and loving friends, Joan Florance, Paul Kuenstler, Tina Resner, and Buddy Rice. He is also survived by his spouse, Joan I. Wiley, who currently resides in Worthington, MN. Services will be held Thursday, February 22, 2007, 2:00 p.m., at French Mortuary, Lomas Blvd. Chapel, 10500 Lomas Blvd NE. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions could be considered to: The Air Force Aid Society, Education Fund, Suite 202, 241 18th Street, South Arlington, VA 22022. French Mortuary 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE 275-3500
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