Wiley Mitchell Cauthen

Wiley Mitchell Cauthen, 88, of Orlando, Florida passed peacefully into glory on December 20, 2023. Born in Montgomery County, Alabama on August 27, 1935 to George E. and Lois M. Cauthen, Wiley married JoAnn Watkins in 1957, and they had three children: Wade, Loisann, and Carol. He earned an AS in Gas Fuel Technology from Southern Technical Institute, a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University, and an MBA from Rollins College. He served more than 34 years in the US Navy and Naval Air Reserve as an aviator and line officer, retiring as a captain. After college Cauthen moved his family to Orlando, where he spent his career in energy pipeline engineering, management, and advocacy. He retired from Florida Natural Gas Transmission Company/Enron in 2000 and launched Tiger Energy Services, a consulting firm for energy clients.

He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years JoAnn Watkins Cauthen, his daughter Carol Ingersoll, his parents George and Lois Cauthen, and his brother W. Warren Cauthen. He is survived by his children Wade Cauthen (Susan) and Loisann Fowler (Randy); his sister Wanza Lewis; grandchildren Sarah Fowler Wolfe, Jeremy Hamby-Fowler (Kaitlyn), Ben Fowler (Nicole), HannahJoy Krier (Kurt), and Hope Fowler; great-granddaughters Abigail, Jovi, and Reagan; as well as his son-in-law Richard Ingersoll and his children and grandchildren, and numerous beloved cousins, nieces, nephews.

Cauthen was a diverse pipeline management and engineering professional with more than four decades of experience in natural gas, petroleum, slurry, and miscellaneous pipeline activities including conversion of natural gas to petroleum products service. He was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B31.11 Code committee which drafted the code for design, operation, and maintenance of coal slurry pipelines. Wiley was a past president, board member and forty plus year member of the FNGA (Florida Natural Gas Association) which supports the use of natural gas in Florida.

He received the 2009 Jensen Award from the Florida Energy Pipeline Association, recognizing him as someone who contributed significantly to the advancement and development of the Florida energy pipeline industry. Wiley was a life member of the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) and ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers), as well as a member of the NSPE (National Society of Professional Engineers) and numerous other industry and professional organizations. He maintained his licensure as a Professional Engineer until his death.

Other than his family and friends, Wiley’s greatest love was Auburn University. He was a longtime suite owner at Jordan-Hare Stadium and for decades only missed an Auburn football game—home or away—on two occasions when he was hospitalized after car accidents. Cauthen was past Chairman of the Auburn Alumni Engineering Council and a member of its Research Committee. He received the Distinguished Auburn Engineer Award in 2003 and spent the last several years working on a university tech transfer project to bring a mosquito repelling compound to market for commercial and residential use. He and his team hold three U.S. patents.

Most of all Wiley (“Papa C”) will be remembered as a deeply loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He had great interest in details and took care to recall every aspect of each family member, friend, or colleague’s strengths and accomplishments. He took pride in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s character and abilities; and lovingly maintained relationships with far-flung family, lifelong friends, and distant relations. Cauthen focused on the good in everyone, even praising opponents’ good plays in the middle of high-stakes football games! Over the last few years, he especially enjoyed the fellowship of the saints at Winter Garden Primitive Baptist Church, where he was baptized.

Wiley Mitchell Cauthen leaves behind a legacy of unconditional love, unflagging optimism and gratitude, and steadfast faith. He knew he was left behind with a purpose after Mama C’s passing, a work for the Lord unfinished, and by God’s grace he fought the good fight, finished the course, kept the faith, and now enjoys his reward before the face of his Savior Jesus Christ.

A memorial service will be held:

January 28, 2024; 2:00 pm

Orangewood Presbyterian Church

1300 Maitland Blvd.

Maitland, FL 32751

A private burial will be held at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL.

If you enjoy sending floral arrangements, please have them delivered to:

Orangewood Church

1300 Maitland Blvd.

Maitland, FL 32751

Able to accept delivery only on Sunday 01/28

8:00 am - 1:00 pm

For those who enjoy donating, please give to your favorite charity to honor him. Thank you.