Garvis R. (“G.R.”) Wiley, Jr.

Garvis R. Wiley, 70, of Rustburg, Virginia, passed on September 29, 2010.  G.R. is survived by his wife, Ann Wiley.  He was born in Lynchburg, Virginia the son of the late Garvis R. Sr. and Etta Puckett Wiley, where he lived most of his life.

He is a 1958 graduate of Brookville High School.  Although he never played baseball during his school years, he has more than made up for lost time during his 40 some years of dedication to the game and to the children who have played for him.  G.R. went to work as a delivery boy for a local grocer when he was only 12 years old and later at 14 years old, started working in the family trucking business in which he had served as Vice-President and for the last 38 years as President.  He served his country in the United States Army, where he was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas and Fort Meade, Maryland.  While serving, he was named NCO of R&R, where he organized many recreational leagues.

When he returned home from the Army, he returned to work for the family business.  In 1968, G.R. was asked to sponsor his first team; at the time the team was without a coach and that was the beginning.  He has since coached, managed, or somehow been involved with Pony and Colt League, Little League, Dixie Youth, American Legion, and NABF.  Mr. Wiley has managed and helped to develop some of Central Virginia\"™s most talented athletes and successful young men.

His best investments had been in children.  He once said, \"The good Lord has provided me with the means to support these kids, and money spent for kids is money well spent.\"  His goal was not to always win the game but to see the kids learn from their experiences and use this knowledge late in life to become good students, and responsible adults.

His loyalty to youth baseball in the Central Virginia area was well recognized by thousands of participants taking part in the Virginia Amateur Baseball, Inc. Program that he founded in 2006.

In 2004, Mr. Wiley was inducted to the Lynchburg Sports Hall of Fame for his outstanding dedication to Youth Baseball in the City of Lynchburg and surrounding counties.  He was recognized through the National Amateur Baseball Federation by receiving the Ronald E. McMinn award of merit for his many contributions towards the promotion of youth baseball in Virginia.

G.R. was a member of Forest Road United Methodist Church and a member of American Legion, Post 16.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his four children, Ronnie Wiley and wife, Crystal, Teresa Wiley, Kim Tuggle and husband, Steve, Michael Wiley and wife, Kathy, all of Rustburg; eight grandchildren, Dreama Pearl Wiley, Gracie Dawn Wiley, James Michael Tuggle, Johnny Ray Tuggle, Etta Ann Tuggle, Garvis Wayne Tuggle, Kimber Taria Wiley, Kayla Brooke Wiley, and three step-grandchildren, Sean Michael Gowen, Leandriea Juanita Woody and Kyle Thomas Shrewsburry; one brother, Leon C. Wiley and his wife, Mary, of Bedford, and a sister, Pat W. Staton and husband, Bobby, of Lynchburg.

The family would like to express their gratitude and special thanks to Centra Health, his many friends, and loyal employees.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to be sent to G.R. Wiley Scholarship Fund, payable to: Rustburg High School, 1671 Village High School, Rustburg, VA 24588.

The family will receive friends Saturday, October 2, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. at Rustburg High School Auditorium, with a celebration of his life immediately to follow with the Rev. John H. Kinnard officiating.  Interment will follow in Fort Hill Memorial Park with military honors by American Legion Post 16.