James Lynn Wiley

James Lynn Wiley, 71, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, went to be with the Lord on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 while surrounded by family and friends at his home he so loved.  Jim or “Jimmy Lynn” as many called him, was born in Gonzales on the May 19, 1947 to Carroll Edward Wiley and Helen Wade Wiley.  He attended Gonzales High School, enlisted in the U.S.A.F. and honorably served during the Vietnam War. 

Jimmy Lynn served at deputy, chief deputy and then as the youngest sheriff recorded in Texas at that time from Dec. 1, 1979 to June 30, 1980 all in Gonzales County.  He is also an alum of Texas State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and utilized his education to work for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as a field parole officer.

Jim’s passion was music.  He was 14 years old when he played with his first professional band.  He continued to pursue his passion while playing with the “Country Cousins” and the “Echoes” with the highlight of his musical career playing bass with the “Jimmie C. Newman Band” at the Grand Ol’ Opry in Nashville.  While in Nashville, he began driving music artists to their performances, notably Tanya Tucker for years and others such as Allison Krause, Dave Matthews, Live, Porter Wagner, Sawyer Brown, John Cougar Mellencamp and many more.  Jimmy had loads of stories about being on the road driving through all 50 states and Canada with these wonderful musicians.

Jim’s heart belonged to his family and he was always proudly proclaiming “I love my family.”  He is survived by his wife, Patricia Wagner Wiley; son and daughter-in-law, James Blake Wiley and Shanna, their sons, Coy and Cooper, step-son, Travis McFarlin and wife Amy, and their children, Michael, Tristan, Melia and Belle and his step-children, Ashley, Sierra and Duain, step-son, Ty McFarlin and wife Krystal, their children, Wyatt and Weston; brother and sister-in-law, Carroll David Wiley, II and Robbie; brother-in-law, Bryce Wagner and his wife Lana and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, Carroll David Wiley, I, and step-grandchild, Dakota.

The family will receive friends from 1 -3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24 in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home’s chapel with a 3 p.m. funeral service following in the chapel with Rev. John Massey officiating.  Interment with full military honors will follow in the Gonzales Odd Fellows Cemetery.  Pallbearers are  Blake Wiley, Coy Wiley, Cooper Wiley, Carroll Wiley, II, Chandler Wiley, Travis McFarlin and Ty McFarlin.  Honorary pallbearers are Brian Klein, Royce Towns, Jr., Tom Lester, Jr., and Daniel Lester. 

In lieu of usual remembrances, friends may make memorial contributions to the Gonzales County Relay for Life or the Church in the Wildwood Building Fund.  Friends may leave their condolences by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com.  Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.