Jim Wiles

Jim Wiles

North Wilkesboro, NC

Mr. Jim Wiles age 76, former head basketball coach at Anderson College passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at his home.

A memorial service will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, August 22, 2015 at North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church, where he was a member, with Rev. Dr. Benton J. Trawick officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.

Mr. Wiles was born July 13, 1939 in Wilkes County to Effner Abrose and Ila Mae Wood Wiles.

Jim Wiles was a coach and teacher at North Wilkes High School for 12 years. He was also a graduate of North Wilkes, and named an all-state selection for basketball in 1958. He was inducted into the North Wilkes Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013. As basketball coach, he led the Vikings to three state playoff appearances and to the regional round in 1991-92. He was also the men's golf coach at North Wilkes.

Wiles enjoyed a career as one of the most successful college basketball coaches in North and South Carolina. At Anderson College in South Carolina, he compiled a 248-65 record. He and his teams were recognized twice by the South Carolina house of Representatives and Senate. He was also men's golf coach and athletic director. April 28, 1978 was proclaimed Jim Wiles Day by the city of Anderson, and Wiles was inducted into the Anderson College Hall of Fame in 1999.

At Gardner-Webb University, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. As head basketball coach, his record was 221-149 in twelve seasons. He guided Gardner-Webb to seven District 26 play-offs and during the '81 season, to a District 6 championship and an appearance in the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri. He was named District 26 Coach Of The Year in 1988 after his team won the regular season title in NAIA District 26. He won 648 games as a college and high school basketball coach, winning numerous coach of the year awards along the way

He was a member of Oakwoods Country Club. In 1995, he won the Carolinas Senior Amateur Championship, as the top senior golfer in the states of North and South Carolina.

Through the years, Wiles has been active in civic and church activities, serving as past president of his Rotary Club, chairman of fund raising for the local United Way, as a Sunday School teacher and on the board of directors of the Boys Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister Jarot Wiles Patteson.

Mr. Wiles is survived by his wife Barbara Jean Wiles Wiles of the home, a daughter; Jill Wiles Turner of North Wilkesboro and one brother; Danny Wiles of Birmingham, Ala.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to the Ruby Pardue Blackburn Adult Day Care, PO Box 984, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church 804 E. Street, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

Online condolences may be made to www.reinssturdivant.com.