Wiley S. Noble

He was born in Lottie and lived most of his life in Baton Rouge. He was retired from the U.S. Postal Service and was a retired Postal Service Credit Union manager before God called him to his heavenly reward on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008. Survived by his wife, Earline D. Noble; nephews, David Sturges and wife Dawna, of Ruckersville, Va., Jeff Sturges and wife Sherry, of Santa Clarita, Calif., U.S. Air Force Maj. Paul Sturges and wife Lisa, of Buckeye, Ariz., Mark Sturges and wife Stephanie, of Warrenton, Va., and Jay Sturges and wife Erica, of Sherman Oaks, Calif.; niece, Allisun Sturges, of Santa Clarita; wife's children, Marcia and husband the Rev. Dr. Darryl Wood, of Vincent, Ala., and Dwain and wife Terri Spurgeon, of Central; brothers-in-law, Charles Dougherty and wife Frankie, and Al Dougherty, all of Central. He was a charter member of Jefferson Baptist Church, 50-year member of St. James Masonic Lodge 47, F&AM, and a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3784 and Capital City Chapter 5 of the Disabled American Veterans. He served in the Eighth Air Force during World War II for 2"° years and was recalled to active duty on May 1, 1951, during the Korean War for 21 months. Having a deep interest in history of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, he was founder and executive secretary of 3D Strategic Air Depot Association and co-founder of the 25th Bomb Group Association. For his devotion to his fellow 8th Air Force comrades, he was given a personal citation by former President Bush; a letter of appreciation from the Lord Mayor of Norwich, England; a citation from the mayor of Watton, England; a resolution by the Illinois Legislature for his endeavors on behalf of 8th Air Force veterans; appointed to the staff of Kentucky Colonels by the governor of that state; and a lifetime member of 8th Air Force Historical Society plus other military associations. Preceded in death by his parents, Andrew D. and Effie Charlton Noble; sister, Marjorie Noble Sturges; and brother-in-law, Col. Raymond Sturges. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Thursday, Oct. 30, was from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a Masonic service at 7 p.m. Visitation resumes on Friday from 11 a.m. until religious service in the chapel at 1 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Dr. Darryl Wood, the Rev. Tommy French and the Rev. Huey Moak. Burial in Resthaven Gardens of Memory.