Major (Ret.) Wiley Coleman Conner Jr.

Wiley C. Conner, Jr., a distinguished veteran and dedicated community member, passed away on Thursday, July 4, 2024, peacefully in his home, surrounded by his family. Born on October 8, 1928 (or possibly October 6, as he liked to say, the doctor took two days to travel to rural Ebony, VA), Wiley was the oldest son of Wiley C. Conner and Rennie Taylor Conner.

From a young age, Wiley embodied a strong work ethic. By 16, he had already worked in textile, lumber, and paper mills near Roanoke Rapids, NC, and southern Virginia, drove a school bus and an ice truck and worked with his father’s carpentry business. At 17, Wiley (known as Junior to his family and friends while growing up) set out on an adventure with his friends, hopping on a train in Weldon, NC, to join the military as World War II was coming to an end. Their journey ended in Meridian, MS, where Wiley joined the U.S. Marine Corps and began his remarkable 25-year military career.

Wiley’s service as a Marine included prestigious assignments at the White House and the Washington, DC Naval Observatory, where he often encountered President Harry Truman and Admiral Chester Nimitz. He fondly recalled cold winter nights when Mrs. Nimitz would bring cookies to the guard shack or days in the White House when President Truman would encourage the Marines to listen to his daughter Margaret sing and play piano in the East Room.

Transitioning from the Marines to the U.S. Army, Wiley served in Occupied Germany, earning the World War II Victory Medal while guarding former Nazi officers at Spandau Prison in Berlin after the Nuremberg Trials. In 1953, during the Korean War, he was wounded at the Battle of Pork Chop Hill and awarded the Purple Heart.

In the 1950’s, while stationed at Ft. Jackson, SC, Wiley met and married the love of his life, Charlotte Boltin. Together, they moved frequently, living in Ft. Lewis, WA, Ft. Jackson, SC, Ft. Benning, GA, Schweinfurt, Germany, and Bamberg, Germany, before settling in Columbus, GA in 1964. Wiley served two tours in Vietnam before retiring from the Army in 1971, having earned numerous medals and awards including the Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster, in addition to his Purple Heart.

Following his military retirement, Wiley continued to work tirelessly for another 40 years. He became a letter carrier for the US Postal Service, eventually moving into management before retiring from that career. Never one to remain idle, Wiley opened a rural post office in Upatoi, GA, and later a small convenience store for the community before finally retiring for good at the age of 84.

Wiley and Charlotte were avid travelers, enjoying road trips across the country and many visits to Europe and Russia. Their favorite destinations included Austria, Italy, and Germany. Wiley was a longtime member of First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and member of the New Beginnings Sunday School class, and he served the community as a member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Columbus Georgia for over 25 years.

An enthusiastic woodworker, Wiley once built bluebird houses for an entire class at Columbus’ Downtown Elementary Magnet Academy, reflecting his generous spirit and dedication to his community.

Wiley was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte, his parents, and seven siblings. He is survived by his daughter Frances Bilon and son-in-law David Bilon of Newnan, GA; son Wiley Conner, III (“Chip”) of Marietta, GA; daughter Carol Hays and son-in-law Mike Hays of Fernandina Beach, FL, daughter Angie Mallard and son-in-law Wilson Mallard of Dacula, GA; his loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his sister Virginia Mae Clements of Garysburg, NC, his brother David Conner, Sr. of Apex, NC and many wonderful nieces, nephews and friends.

His family would like to thank Columbus Hospice, his nurse, Angela, his CNA, Anna, his social worker, Carole, and his chaplain and longtime friend, Allison Kennedy Owen, for their care and compassion in his final weeks.

Wiley C. Conner, Jr.’s life was marked by service, hard work, and love for his family and community. His legacy will be cherished by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to First Baptist Church general fund or Columbus Hospice.

A Service of Life will be held on Monday, July 15, 2024, at 11 am in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, 212 12th Street, Columbus, GA 31901. A Reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. Wiley will be buried with full military honors on a later date, at the Main Post Cemetery at Ft. Moore, GA.