Betty M. Wiley

Born in Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, on September 25, 1926, Betty was one of six children born to the late Robert Hambright and Verta Belle (née Kelley). Betty loved learning, was an outstanding student, and earned her Bachelor of Nursing degree from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While there, she met the love of her life, Lt. L. James (Jim)Wiley, a dental student at Temple University. Betty and Jim were married in Philadelphia in 1949 and moved to Erie, Pennsylvania, to open his dental practice. While there, they raised three children and enjoyed boating on Lake Erie. Betty was also a champion bridge player and managed her husband’s dental practice until they retired to Clearwater, Florida, in 1981.

While in Clearwater, Betty and Jim’s deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ was nurtured at Calvary Baptist Church and Countryside Baptist Church. They became world travelers and enjoyed 61 years of marriage until the Lord called Jim home to glory in 2010, where they are now truly “together forever.”

Betty is survived by her children: Wanda (Pieter) Dearolf, Donna Rea (Joe) Palermo, and Scott (Doris) Wiley; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren, and many extended family members and dear friends.

A funeral service to celebrate Betty’s life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, 2853 Sunset Point Road, Clearwater, Florida 33759. She will be laid to rest alongside her husband at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Betty’s memory to a charity of your choice.