George T. Wiley

George Wiley passed away on Friday, July 18, 2025, two days before his 98th Birthday. He didn’t get to realize his secret ambition – to be the oldest surviving veteran of World War II. He was one of the Navy sailors in the Philippines training for the invasion of Japan when the atomic bomb was dropped. However, he did have other accomplishments in his two main areas of interest -history and sports.

George was born in Mentor, Ohio and earned seven varsity letters at Oberlin College and was inducted into the college athletic Hall of Fame in 1985. In his junior year of college, a scout for the St. Louis Cardinals invited him to try out with the club, but George didn’t want to miss out on his senior year of college sports. Baseball was his first love, but he also ran track and became proficient in soccer. (After trying one head shot in soccer, he never tried again – it hurt!) Later in life, he played summer baseball in leagues in the Cleveland area and became a high school football referee.

It was his other passion – teaching history – that became his life’s work. George earned his Master’s and PhD degrees at Case Western Reserve while teaching at Youngstown Rayen and Euclid high schools. At Euclid, he also became assistant principal in charge of curriculum. He turned down the offer of a principalship in a nearby high school to become associate dean of the graduate school in charge of research at the Indiana State Teachers College (now Indiana University of Pennsylvania). George insisted on teaching one history course as well. When new regulations made him choose between teaching and administration, the classroom won. For over twenty years, he never regretted that decision.

George was a well-liked teacher and colleague. He could characteristically be seen whistling across campus with a ready greeting for friends. One unique thing he did was take photos of his students on the first day of class and had the students identify themselves. Then, as he was grading papers, he matched each paper to the student’s picture. At one homecoming event, George greeted a student by name with her mother standing by. “How do you know her name already?” the surprised mother asked.

George liked people, and people liked George. He was elected union representative for several terms. He served as president of the Parent-Teacher Guild at his children’s elementary school and was a ready volunteer at the annual parish book sale. A Little League coach, he sometimes organized and played an “off the record” game with another team just for fun.

In 1979-80, he participated in a Fulbright Teacher Exchange program. Teaching English History to English students in Portsmouth Polytechnic in England was challenging and very enjoyable, especially the custom of taking the professor to the pub after class occasionally. Visiting a professor’s home was a new experience for the students. That year, George was also awarded the History Teaching Chair in the State of Pennsylvania.

In 1991, George was called upon to write something commemorating Pearl Harbor Day for the local newspaper, the Indiana Gazette. He wrote it in the style of a diary, using local Indiana news and names. This caught hold with the public. He continued writing the diary for the newspaper, and it eventually became (eleven years later) a sixteen-volume Illustrated History of Indiana County in World War II. Copies are in local libraries, and one copy resides in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

George and his wife decided to revisit Portsmouth in June 1994, never realizing that it would be the 50th anniversary of D-Day. As a World War II veteran, George received VIP treatment, including a front row seat at the beachside ceremony. He shook hands with President Bill Clinton. (Unfortunately, Princess Diana was greeting the other half of the audience.)

In his final years, George took the most satisfaction in his wartime service to his country. His time in the Philippines proved to be some of his strongest memories.

George is survived by his wife of 68 years, Janet (Sampson); two children, Andy and Kathy Bull; four grandchildren, Brook Wiley, Max, Sam, and Eva Bull. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Kenneth; parent's, Harold and Rose; brother, Wayne.

In lieu of flowers, we would appreciate donations to the Paralyzed Veterans of America. PVA.org">https://secure.PVA.org