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Submitted: 10/21/15 • Approved: 5/4/16 • Last Updated: 5/7/16 • R1104423-G0-S3
Aug. 23, 1948 - Nov. 12, 1986
Gary was named after his dad, Johnie, but went by his middle name Gary. He was better known to most as "Cat." There are different versions has to how that nickname came about (some of his classmates could elaborate). One was that he had nine-lives. He was a daredevil and kept on using up those nine-lives just like a cat.
He was the second son of Johnie and Zelma Wiley, of Holland, Ar., and was in a hurry to get here. When his mother went into labor, she did not have time to make it to the hospital, so he was delivered at home by Doc Mabry of Holland.
Gary was born into a tightknit family with three brothers and two sisters; Wayne, Billy Ray, Jackie Lynn, Rosemary, and Glenda and he grew up working in the cotton fields of his father's farm. Gary was a member of Holland Baptist Church with a strong Christian befief ingrained into him as a young boy.
Gary's passion was automobiles, preferably old and fast. He loved to work on vehicles, drive them, and collect them. He could tell you what was wrong with a car, just by listening to the motor run.
On the farm, he also tore up a lot of equipment due to roughhousing. His mother always said, "Gary could tear it up quicker than Wayne could fix it!"
Gary's trademark was his honesty. He really could not lie to you because if he tried, he would start laughing, and then you would know it. Gary was just Gary, nothing more, nothing less, and you always got what you saw. The best way to describe him...he was a happy-go-luck guy that never met a stranger, and would have given you the last dime in his pocket.
Gary has four children, two girls, and two boys (Shelia, Tammy, Gary, and Jeremy) and four grandchildren. His two daughters live in Camden area, one son in Texas, and one son in South Korea. Gary was married three times and had several girlfriends along the way, the last being a lady named Diann Anderson.
Gary was killed in an automobile accident in the Enola area the night of November 12, 1986 at the age of 38. It was a one-car accident and he was alone when it happened, so the cause is unknown. It was a very sad time for his family and friends.
At the time of his death, he had his own transmission business, and was very good at what he did. People came from all around to have Gary work on their vehicle. When he passed away, people jokingly said, "God must have needed a good transmission man."
Gary is laid to rest at the Springhill Baptist Church Cemetery alongside other beloved family members.
Author unknown
Contributed on 10/21/15 by hawkinsdonna48
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Record #: 1104423