MONTEREY, Calif. — George Russell “Russ” Wiley, 92, died Monday, June 28, 2021, at his home in Monterey, Calif.
He was born March 30, 1929, in Lyndon, the son of George Ridgway and Eva Alberta (Woodbury) Wiley.
Russ was a colonel in the U.S. Army, and during his 40 years of active and reserve duty, he received multiple decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and United Nations Service Medal. He served in the Korean War and returned to service briefly during Desert Storm.
He graduated from Emporia State University with a degree in business, and his career included working with the Atomic Energy Commission and as a real estate broker.
Russ married his favorite schoolteacher and the love of his life, Lucille “Lucy” Marie Iames, of Sacramento, Calif., in 1955. They shared 59 years together before her death in 2014.
He was a proud member of the Carmel-by-the-Sea Rotary Club for 30 years, along with other organizations, including Military Officers Association, Reserve Officers Association, Army Counter Intelligence Organization, the Association for Intelligence Officers, the Infantry OCS Hall of Fame and St. Andrews Society of San Francisco.
Russ was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille; their only son, who died as an infant; his parents; and seven brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his brother, Cloyce Wiley, Kansas City; multiple nieces and nephews; and numerous caring friends.
At his request, no services are planned. Inurnment will be at Golden Gate National Cemetery, South San Francisco, Calif. Arrangements will be made by Mission Mortuary, Monterey, Calif.
Memorial contributions may be made to Carmel-by-the-Sea Rotary Club, Highway 1 and Rio Road, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93923.
