James Ballard Wiesler

1927 - 2018

James Ballard Wiesler July 25, 1927 - November 27, 2018 San Diego James Ballard Wiesler passed away at the age of 91 on November 27, 2018, at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, surrounded by his loving family. Jim graduated from Point Loma High School and after a brief stint in the US Navy, went on to earn a college degree from the University of Colorado, and advanced degrees from Rutgers and Harvard Business School. Jim had an accomplished 38-year career at Bank of America, starting in Los Angeles on the commercial loan training program and retiring as Vice Chairman. Postings included stops in Brawley, Chino, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, along with overseas assignments in Germany and Japan. When Jim retired in 1987, he and his wife, Mary Jane, relocated to his beloved San Diego.Most important to Jim was his commitment to family and community. He believed that if you live in a community, you should give back to it. Jim served as the Honorary Counsel General Of Japan, was President and CEO of the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce, served as Treasurer and Board Member of Sharp Healthcare, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Sharp Memorial Hospital for many years. He also served on the boards for the San Diego Armed Services YMCA, the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, along with several advisory committees for the San Diego Zoo. Jim also was a Board Member of Visa International and served on the Board for Science Applications International Corp (SAIC). Too many to list are the business and community leaders and individuals that Jim mentored and advised who respected his counsel.Jim was not only committed to the communities he lived in, but also cared deeply for his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Jane, married 65 years; three children, Tom, Ann, Larry and their respective spouses, Rick Leon and Randy Federgreen; five grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, and, sister, Jean Wirick. Jim's family wishes to acknowledge the exceptional and loving care that he received in his last days at Sharp Memorial Hospital. Private memorial services will be held for immediate family members at the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church with a Celebration of Life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jim's memory to the San Diego Zoological Society and to the Sharp HealthCare Foundation; Sharp Rees Stealy Palliative Care Program: 8695 Spectrum Center Blvd, San Diego, CA 92123 or https://give.sharp.com/jimwieslermemorial