William Odyce Wiles

William (“Bill”) Odyce Wiles, 75, passed away in his sleep early Sunday morning, October 6, 2013, in Seattle, WA. He was born on September 3, 1938, in Calhoun County, SC to Odyce L. Wiles and Janie Webster Wiles.

Bill grew up in Bennettsville, SC, with his grandmother Rosalie Wiles. He graduated from Bennettsville High School in 1956, and when he turned 18, he joined the United States Air Force (USAF) becoming an Avionics Technician. While in the USAF, Bill was a member of the USAF Drum and Bugle Corps and an award-winning drummer in Tops In Blue competitions.

In 1960, Bill married Marilyn H. Hopkins in Lake Stevens, WA. In September 1960, Airman Second Class Wiles completed his service to his country and began his civilian career in aerospace with Boeing. Bill continued to hone his musical talents as the drummer for the Rhythm Kings and accompaniment for other musical groups, including singer/songwriter Loretta Lynn.

Bill began his life-long pursuit of aviation by earning his pilots license. He continued to obtain various ratings that afforded him many opportunities to fly a variety of airplanes, from the smallest single-engines to corporate jets. Bill served many years as the Operations Manager and Chief Pilot for the Boeing Employees Flying Association before starting his own aviation business, Action Aviation in 1987. Bill was an active member of the Quiet Birdmen, and spent his spare time giving check rides as a Designated Flight Examiner for the Federal Aviation Administration, golfing, agating, fishing, and exploring the lakes of the British Columbia wilderness by floatplane.

In 1961, Bill and Marilyn welcomed their son Mark, and in 1969 their daughter Wendy. Bill passed his passion for flying on to Mark and Wendy, who both pursed careers in aviation.

His grandmother Rosalie Wiles of Bennettsville, SC; his mother Janie Webster Wiles of Bennettsville, SC; and his father Odyce L. Wiles of Moncks Corner, SC.; preceded Bill in death.

Bill is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marilyn of Renton, WA; son Mark (Brenda) Wiles of Winston-Salem, NC; daughter Wendy (Don) Hodson of Yelm, WA; sister Keturah Wiles of Moncks Corner, SC; brother James (Linda) Wiles of Moncks Corner, SC; and his nieces, nephews and other relatives.

A memorial service will be held at the Renton Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 1031 Monroe Ave. E., Renton, WA 98056, at 11:00 a.m. on October 15, 2013. There will be a reception immediately following the memorial service. Burial with military honors will follow at Tahoma National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to 9th Life Hawaii, http://www.9thlifehawaii.org. Condolences may be left on Greenwood Memorial Park Funeral Home’s online guest book at http://www.dignitymemorial.com/greenwood-memorial-park-funeral-home/en-us/index.page.