Wiley Wilson

wiley wilson

Wiley L. Wilson, 79, Fargo, passed away Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at his home under the care of Hospice of The Red River Valley.  Wiley was born in Decherd, Tennessee on October 17, 1931, to Madaline (Willis) and Robert Wilson.   Wiley spent most of his childhood in Stanton, ND, and graduated from Stanton High School in 1949.  He attended Dickinson State University from 1949-51.  He entered the USAF in August 1951 and was honorably discharged in August 1955.  He spent one of his four years of duty in Korea during the Korean Conflict.  He returned to Dickinson State College in the fall of 1955 and graduated with an education degree in 1957.  He taught and coached football, basketball, and track and field for 11 years in Savage, MT, Carpio, ND and at the Minot Model High School.  Wiley received his Masters Degree from the University of North Dakota in 1972.  He taught in the Physical Education Dept., and coached cross country and track and field at Minot State from 1969-1997.

Wiley married the love of his life, Hermelle Suess on June 22, 1956.  To this union, 2 children were born, Charmayne and Jack.

Wiley had a lot of success in his coaching career, and was inducted into the Minot State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998.  He touched many lives, and many touched his.  He will always be remembered as "Coach".

Wiley is survived by his wife Hermelle; daughter, Charmayne (Gary) DelaBarre, Fargo,  ND; and son, Jack (Suzanne)  Wilson, Rochester, MN,  grandchildren Andrew (Bethany) DelaBarre, Langdon, ND; Madaline DelaBarre, Fargo; Kate Wilson, Rochester, MN, and Jackson Wilson, Rochester, MN, great grandchildren Norah, Julia and Owen Wiley DelaBarre, Langdon, ND, sister Gracella Dougherty, Griffin, GA; brother Robert (Sue) Wilson, Clearwater, FL and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.  

Wiley was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters Sammie Joslin, Corrine Slinde, and Dorothy Squires.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Wiley Wilson Track Scholarship Fund at  Minot State University c/o Chad McNally, 500 University Avenue West, Minot, ND 58707 and/or Hospice of the Red River Valley.

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  1. Rio Rancho New MexicoI thought of Wiley today as I have often done through out the years and I checked on line to find that he passed away in June.

    Wiley had a tremendous influence on me when attended Minot State University (1971-73). His coaching style and his personal touch is something I tried to pass on to my student athletes over the years when I coached cross country and track in North Dakota
    , Montana and Arizona. My thoughts are with the Wilson family and your loss.

    Best wishes.
    Dan Landes

  2. Minot ND
    Hermelle, Jack, Charmayne,
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family. Wiley was such a good person and he touched so many people through his teaching and coaching. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
    Ormy and Jane

  3. Sauk Rapids MN
    It was a great time in my lift to have had a chace to run for Minot State and Coach Wilson. He was a great person and will be missed by us all.

    1969-1970

  4. Minot ND
    Hi Charmayne:

    So sorry to hear about your Dad. We just lost Jeff’s dad to cancer in February, so I have somewhat of an idea as to what you’re going through. Even though I didn’t really know your dad, I know he was very well-liked and will be greatly missed. Hope you are doing as well as can be expected and that each day gets easier. You and your family have been in my thoughts and prayers.

    Love Shelly

  5. Waxhaw North Carolina
    Wilson Family:

    As a young man your entire family had a significant influence in my life, particularly your husband and father Wylie. He taught me so much. I cherish the time and opportunity that through God’s Grace I was able to appreciate in knowing him.

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Bob Condon

  6. Clearwater FLWe are friends of Wiley’s brother, Bob. Please extend our deepest sympathies to Hermelle and family. Sue and Bob introduced us several times down in Florida. We want you to know you are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Sincerely, Larry and Elizabeth Lathrop.

  7. clara city minnesotaHermelle and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. He touched the hearts of many athletes and I was lucky to be one of them. we will all miss him, he truly was a kind and caring man. God Bless

  8. Mansfield TXThe stories that we all have based upon the influences of coach Wilson in our lives would fill a 10 volume set. And that is just for Carpio. I am sure beyond doubt that many of us can source a substantial portion of who we are today to lessons learned on his watch.
    Gone but never absent in the lives of us all. We salute you Coach.
    Jimmy Johnson “Fall 1960 to Spring 1964”

  9. West Fargo North Dakota
    Hermelle and family,

    Sorry to just hear of the passing of Wiley! Just a few months ago we got a great picture of Wiley, Merrill Schalow, and our grand kids!
    Wiley was a very dedicated coach and better yet, family man! He touched our lives!

    Dale and Teresa Olson

  10. Minot ND
    To one of the most caring people I’ve met in my life and a great coach. Wiley was there for me allot in my years at Minot State and went out of his way for me many times. I ran the hurldles during my years at MSU and he helped me perfect the race to my best abilities. He will be missed but remembered forever for things he has done for many. My best wished to his family!!

  11. Wiley did so much for me when I took over for him at Minot State back in 1997. Wiley and Hermelle made me feel at home in Minot!

    I miss the days talking about track & field and life with Wiley in his basement!

    I wish i could have come to the funeral but i am at a National Track & Field meet in North Carolina!

    Rest in Peace Coach.

    Dave

  12. Christopher Lake SaskatchewanI say thanks to Wiley for his years at Carpio High School. Through him Track was started in Carpio in 1960 and football in the fall of 1960. In his passionate way he inspired us to do our best. I say thank you.
    Rick Johnson

  13. Brighton ColoradoHermelle, I am So sorry for your loss. Wiley was an amazing person and one of the greatest coaches I have ever met in the sport of track. He taught me so much. I also want to thank you for wecoming me into your home as a young man. I learned so much from both of you. My thoughts are with you.
    Garry

  14. Brantford OntarioBob and Sue
    so sorry to learn of the death of your brother Wiley. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Hermelle and families. It is hard to loose someone you love and even harder when he is a close sibling

  15. Brooklyn Park MN
    Hermelle, I was so sorry to read about Wiley. I have such good memories of our old neighborhood days. We enjoyed life. May your good memories bring you peace as you move forward. Lorna

  16. Minot ND
    My heartfelt sympathies to the Wilson family. Wiley was my supervisor when I did my student teaching and I knew him as a coach at Model and at Minot State. He was a wonderful person and I am proud to had known him as well as I did as a friend and colleague. Peace be with you.

  17. Stanton, ND
    To Hermell & your family, I did not know Wiley that well.I do feel your loss Hermell. May God comfort you & your family in this time of sorrow. He will live in your hearts & mind for ever.
    My deepest Sympathy. LaVelle

  18. Parker coHi Charmayne,
    I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I remember staying at your parents’ house when we were in college and how warm and welcoming he was. I’m truly sorry for your loss. Love, Karen

  19. Bismarck ND
    Mr. Wilson was an dedicated, excellent teacher and successful coach at Carpio High who brought out the best in his students and athletes. He was an excellent role model and quiet leader who often taught life lessons. I became a business teacher because of my experiences in his classrooms and often used what I had learned during his classes while teaching my own. The world needs more dedicated teachers and coaches like him. He will be missed!!!

    May the fond memories you have of happy times with Wiley sustain you during these difficult times and in the days to come. Deepest sympathy to you and your family, Hermelle. God Bless.

    Patsy McGuire Holland
    Class of ’64, CHS

  20. minot ND
    Wilson Family

    Haven’t seen you guys for some time except Jack & Wiley . Talk about the good times we had at Strawberry Lake. The good food,the stories we all know. Like nobody sleeps tonight and Wiley crawing away at 10:00 AM the next morning thinking he could sneek away and go to bed!! He was such a Guy!!. The races he had with Carrie & how he loved the girls he coached in track. He will be greatly missed by all his friends and athletics Boys included!! I often think of the coaches week-end at strawberry lake and all the fun we had nobody can take that away from us. I am sure Wiley is laughing in heaven with all of us thinking about the good times. Your are in our thoughts & prayers. Put your trust in the Lord and He will take care of you all.

    Love you!!

    Ione & Myron

  21. Virginia City NevadaWhat a great coach, a real father figure to me. A great mentor and motivator. I think of him often with his advice on life and understanding of others. My best memories of Wiley are those coach to athlete talks before practice, he helped mold my life. What an education. I have used his advice more than once rasing “my boys”. Wiley, you will be missed.

  22. Dickinson North Dakota
    My sympathy to the Wilson family for their loss. Wiley was a fine man and gave so much to so many athletes over many years. Without doubt he was a
    postive influence on the young men and women he coached. The world is a better place because of his contributions.

  23. Sherwood North Dakota
    Hermelle and family-
    I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Coach. Wiley was such a respected and loved coach and touched all of our lives! He always pushed his athletes to do their best and was always there with his encouragement. He was a great guy and will be missed by all.My prayers are with you. Dana Driscoll

  24. Sherwood North Dakota
    Hermelle and family-
    I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Coach. Wiley was such a respected and loved coach and touched all of our lives! He always pushed his athletes to do their best and was always there with his encouragement. He was a great guy and will be missed by all.My prayers are with you. Dana Driscoll

  25. Minot ND
    I am saddened by the passing of one of the most influentual people in my life.
    I would have never stayed in college had it not been for Wiley and his leadership. My heart goes out to his entire loving family. Rod.
    PS Jack. whats the capitol of Thailand?

  26. bismarck north dakotaMy first time ever in the United States
    it was Coach Wilson and Hermelle who
    greeted me at the Minot airport. I spent
    the night at their cabin on strawberry
    lake, in 1977 North Dakota
    seemed
    very foreign to me. With Coach Wilson
    and the boys the transtion was not
    difficult. Today North Dakota
    is my home for me and my family. May God
    be with you Hermelle, Charmayne and
    Jack and thank you for sharing your
    husband, father with us. May he rest in
    peace.

  27. Minot ND
    Hermelle My heartfelf condolences to you and all your family. I have many fond memories of Wiley and the great times at the Lake.

  28. Lansford ND
    Dear Wilson Family,

    I will dearly miss Coach. He was my guide and mentor throughout my track and cross country seasons at MSU (1994-1997). I’ll always remember our “toilet bowl” runs throughout Minot and wondering where Coach would be parked so we could pick up the pace!
    I’ll also remember a particular workout where Lois Fortier, Julie Scheflo, and I decided to veer off our assigned run. Coach was so worried, just like a father would have been. Needless to say, we never swayed off track again.
    I’m so humbled to say that I knew Coach Wilson. He will not be forgotten.

    I have sent a donation to Coach’s MSU Track Scholarship. May this fund help many young people achieve their athletic dreams.

    Much love and blessings to your family,
    Paula Reierson-Nett
    MSU 1994-1997

  29. Minot ND
    Not only was “Coach” a good friend, but I had the privilege of refereeing basketball for him as a coach, and with him as a partner for several years. We shared a few “decks of cards” and an occasional “brew” now & then. Great memories that I will never forget.

    Hermelle, Charmayne, Jack & Families, my thoughts & prayers are with you during this time of sorrow & grief. He will be missed by us all. Take care.

  30. MINOT NORTH DAKOTA WILSON FAMILY , I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO YOU. WILEY WAS THE BEST!!! I FEEL VERY BLESSED TO HAVE KNOWN WILEY AND HIS FAMILY AND FOR ALL THE GREAT TIMES AT STRAWBERRY LAKE.
    REST IN PEACE

  31. minot ndWhat a great coach and above all what a fine person. He was respected by all. I truly enjoyed the years that I was fortunate to participate on some of Coach Wilson’s teams. My sympathies to Hermelle and the family.

  32. Bismarck ND
    Charmayne and family,
    I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. May the many wonderful memories you have with him help carry you through this difficult time in your life.
    Kyia Beth (Silseth) Zubke

  33. Glen Ullin ND
    Coach Wilson was a wonderful, caring person and he will be truly missed. He was one of the people who influenced me in my life and I will always remember him! God Bless!

  34. Wiley was a true inspiration for all that knew him. He brought out the best in his athletes. With his honesty and sincerity, we developed a deep trust in his advice. He will be missed greatly, but his influence on the people he touched will live on. God Bless the Wilson family.

  35. Minot ND
    Hermelle & family: We send our sympathy to you. Wiley was a fine colleague at Minot State University. He was respected by all the MSU family. Blessings and peace to you.

    Bob & Pat

  36. Valley City ND
    Coach Wilson was a great part of the coaching staff when I was a student at MSU. He was a man of integrity and a dedicated coach. Wiley leaves a legacy by what he accomplished but more so by who he was. Rest in peace, Coach.

  37. Manteca CaliforniaWiley was always a champion in my eyes and I feel your pain and loss. So sorry I cannot be there with you, Dear Sister, and your family. Love you all. Franne

  38. SPRING HILL FloridaHAVE NOT SEEM WILEY IN YEARS BUT REMEMBER HIM AS ONE OF STANTONS BEST SCHOLAR ATHLETES. PLEASE ACCEPT MY SYMPATIES. RICK

  39. Burlington N DakWiley was the best and a woundfull person,I knew him in Carpio,He was my basketball coach and I worked at Minot State Collage with him for track meets,he was great with the kids and a asset to everyone he came incontack with, He will be missed by many,My respecks to Wiley and his Familey.

  40. Bismarck ND
    People quite often use the term great much too often. But Jim Pence had it right when he said a great man has passed. Wiley Wilson touched the lives of many and we are much better for that. Coach had a profound effect on me. He was both a role model and mentor. Coach influenced and basically shaped my life both on and off the track. I am very proud to say I was one of “his boys.” I often tell people I owe my professional success to Wiley Wilson and Minot State University. You will be dearly missed Coach. May you rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.

  41. Minot ND
    Coach Wiley will be greatly missed. He was a great role model and I will always remember his encouragement and frankness as a coach and teacher.

  42. Lenexa KansasTo Hermelle, Charmayne, & Jack…

    Very sorry for Wiley’s passing. I remember him as a teacher, coach, and friend from Carpio & Minot days…

    Our prayers are with the family.

    Bob & Ruthi Ostgulen

  43. Bismarck ND
    I’m so sorry to hear about Wiley. He was a great man and will be missed by many. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

  44. Minot ND
    Hermelle and family, we extend our condolences to you with Wiley’s passing. May you be comforted by God’s love.

  45. Fargo N.D
    .Hermelle and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Wiley was my high school football and basketball coach at Model High School during the last two years of its existence. Although I was never much of an athlete, Wiley taught me about life and to work hard, enjoy the victories but also accept and learn from those times when we lose. He was and will always be, a winner. God bless you “Coach” for all you did for me.

  46. Powers Lake ND
    Hermelle and family, my thoughts are with you at this time. I have thought of you often over the years as I admired both of you so much. I went to school in Carpio at the time Wiley was there and I followed every article that was written about Wiley through out the years. He was a wonderful man.

  47. Northfield MN
    The world has lost a great man in so many ways with the passing of Wiley. He was my head track coach from 1975 – 1979. He did more than coach, he was like a father to me in that he cared for each one of us “boys” in our personal and athletic doings. He was “real” to us, he had his strengths and his weaknesses that we could all laugh with him about. What he did he did excellent. Time marches on in a cruel way sometimes and now we are left with out our “coach” Wiley. We’ll miss him, his smile, his humor, his love. Thank you FAMILY for sharing your husband and father with us, we are eternally grateful for the sacrifices you made for us in sharing him. Best Regards, Jim Pence

  48. Minot ND
    Wiley, you will be greatly missed! I wish I got to know you more. Hermelle and family my thoughts and prays go out for you. From all of the things I have heard about Wiley I know he will be overhead watching and protecting you. Please take care.


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