Bennie Reves Wiley Jr.

Bennie R. Wiley Jr., 88, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. He was surrounded by family and his devoted wife of 62 years, Martha.

Ben graduated from Edwards Military Institute and joined the U.S. Army right after graduation. He served most of his time in Korea. Ben showed an entrepreneurial desire at a young age and continued that fire throughout his career. Ben was a retired "automobile guy." Initially, he worked at McLean Motors before opening Wiley Motor Company. Eventually, he opened Tidewater Dodge with this brother, Bill. Then he went on to own Virginia Beach Dodge and Greenbrier Dodge. Under his leadership in 1994, Virginia Beach Dodge was recognized by the Chrysler Corporation as the Top Truck Sales Volume Dealer in the country. He was a longtime member of the Tidewater Automobile Dealers Association, the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association, and the National Automobile Dealers Association. He was recognized by the Chrysler Corporation as a Chargers Club members for many years.

In his downtime, Ben enjoyed golfing and boating. He served as the Commodore of the yachting division of the Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club in 1991. He traveled the east coast avidly alongside many of his closest friends. Most of Ben's favorite memories include the water & a boat named "Gentle Ben" which is currently captained by Kevin.

Ben was predeceased by his parents, Bennie R. Wiley, Sr. and Julie Daniels Wiley, four brothers; Garthen, John, William & Edward Wiley and three sisters; Elsie Patrick, Carolina Bloodworth, and Barbara Winfree.

He is survived by his wife, Martha; three children, Jan Lyall (Marshall), Thurston Watkins, and Julie Ramsey (Brandon); six grandchildren Kristin Thorne (Steven), Chad Lyall (Catie), Phillip Watkins, Bailey Watkins, Madison Levine, and Wiley Levine; two great-grandchildren, Annie Grace Lyall & Owen Lyall. In addition, he is survived by one sister, Virginia Price, a sister-in-law, Grace Sivertson, several nieces and nephews and a very special dog, Maybelle.

The family will receive friends & family for visitation at 10:30 AM at Spring Branch Community Church in Virginia Beach prior to the service at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 4, 2023. A private entombment will be on Monday in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Norfolk at the Wiley mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Ben R. Wiley, Jr. endowed Business Scholarship at Longwood University (Longwood University Foundation 201 High Street Farmville, VA 23909) or Hope for Life Animal Rescue (610 Jack Rabbit Rd. #3 Virginia Beach, VA 23451).

Special thanks to all the ICU nurses at Virginia Beach General, Physician Assistant Chris Zachary, nurse Ricki and hospice nurse Laura. The care for our father and the kindness to our family during his illness is greatly appreciated. Online condolences may be made at hdoliver.com