Wilton G. McNiel

Wilton Gay McNiel passed away at home in Baileyton, Alabama on June 16, 2024. He was a loving husband to Joy, his wife of 58 years, father of four, grandfather to nine, great grandfather to twelve, and great great grandfather to two. Wilton is widely known in his community for his many years as the Sears store manager in London and Corbin, Kentucky. He is remembered for his generosity to others.

Wilton was born on September 15, 1944 to Irene and Roy McNiel in Raleigh County, West Virginia. He grew up in Shady Springs, West Virginia where he enjoyed playing in the outdoors and helping his father with the family business of Television Repair and Antenna Installation. This experience imparted a great love of technology that shaped his formative years and career choices.

Locally in West Virginia, he was well known for his love of Amateur Radio, also known as HAM Radio. which required him to gain an understanding of radio technology of the day, build his radio and antenna, and hold the HAM Radio certification which includes being able to gain a mastery of sending and receiving messages in Morris Code. Through his hobby, he was able to communicate with people from all over the world and, as was the tradition then, send and receive post cards to document these connections.

Wilton was also a Veteran where his interests in technology shaped his service. He initially enlisted in the Army National Guard as a member of the Army Signal Corps and subsequent service in the Air National Guard where he served as a Radio Repairman for C-121 Constellation aircraft that supported operations in the Vietnam War.

Wilton worked for Beckley Manufacturing, Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company (C&P Telephone), Berckley County Vocational Technical School as an instructor, and Sears Roebuck & Co. At Sears, he initially began working with them as an Electronics Technical Trainer before selection in the managerial program and assignment to manage the London, Kentucky Sears Catalog Store. As Sears transitioned to franchise stores, he became the owner of the Sears Dealer Store and eventually grew it into two stores before retiring in 2009. During his career, he received many accolades and awards for his performance to include designation as one the top Sears Dealer Store’s in the entire United Sates.

Wilton’s greatest joy was spending time outdoors with his family. Many family vacations included camping in national parks and boating on lakes. It was quite common to include cousins and friends on these camping and fishing trips. Vacations were frequently full of spending time around the campfire, grilling marshmallows and hot-dogs-on-a-stick, swimming in the lake, water skiing, hiking and fishing.

Upon his retirement, he relocated from Kentucky to Baileyton, Alabama where he spent many hours fishing on Lake Guntersville and running a small farm with Joy.

Wilton was predeceased by his parents Roy and Rhoda Irene McNiel and his son Bryon McNiel.

He is survived by his wife, Joy Whisenant McNiel, Baileyton, AL; his children: Arick McNiel-Cho (spouse Eunsook), Wiesbaden, Germany; Wiltina Robinson (spouse Edward), London, Kentucky; and Anita McNiel, Baileyton, Alabama. He is also survived by one Brother, Alvin McNiel, Beckley, West Virginia.

His grand-children are: Arick Wilton Roy McNiel, San Francisco, CA; Bethany Browning, London, KY; Mathew-Patricia McNiel, Baileyton, AL; Kayla Robinson, London, KY; Vanessa Borunda, El Paso, TX; Adam Flores, Marina, CA; Monica Galleano-Bush, Sarasota, FL; Roseanna Guerrero, Salinas, CA; and Nicolas Cho, Martinez, CA.

Funeral Services for Wilton G. McNiel will be conducted at 3 PM at Moss Service Funeral Home with burial to follow at the Hebron Cemetery, Hulaco, Alabama. The family of Wilton McNiel will receive friends at Moss Service Funeral Home from 1 PM until the funeral services.