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franklin county times

Lester Moore Wiley

Lester Moore Wiley, 95, of Ocala, Florida, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jan. 24 at Legacy House in Ocala.

Born in West Point, Tennessee, Lester Moore Wiley and his beloved bride Sybil Burniece Wiley moved to Ocala from Russellville in 2000.  While living in Russellville, Lester and Burniece were proprietors of King’s Department Store for more than 40 years and were both very every active in First Baptist Church of Russellville, where Lester served as a deacon for many years. He was also active in numerous Russellville community civic organizations. While residing in Ocala, he was a member of Church of Hope and enjoyed being a part of the Heart of Hope Seniors’ fellowship. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in Europe as a corporal in the Army Air Corp’s Hell Hawks 365th Fighter Squadron as a radio technician.

In 2013, he was humbled to travel on the last Honor Flight out of Ocala, escorted by his loving daughter, Faye Johnson.

Survivors include Sybil Burniece Wiley (wife of 76 years), Ocala, Fla.; daughter, Faye (Lanny) Johnson, Ocala, Fla.; grandchildren Carole (Gary) McKenzie of Winter Haven, Fla., Bo (Dana) Johnson of Portland, Ore., and Lisa (Rick) Meyer, Tampa, Fla.; great-grandchildren Dusty McKenzie (Sarah), Tabitha Snyder (Jeff) and Kelli McKenzie of Auburndale, Fla.; numerous treasured nieces and nephews; precious family friends Jim and Mary Grace Moyer; and his adoring great-great-granddaughter, Maci May, of Winter Haven, Fla.

Lester was predeceased by his parents, Alfred and Nettie Wiley; sister, Ruth Hunt; sister, Vernon Hunt; and his great-grandson and best outdoor sportsman pal, Phillip May.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 11-11:30 a.m., with a Celebration of Life beginning at 11:30 a.m., Jan. 29 at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 910 SE Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, Fla. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Church of Hope, Gideon International (Bibles), or Hospice of Marion County.

Online condolences may be sent at www.hiers-baxley.com.

Burial to follow service at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla.

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