Cloyde Wiley

Cloyde William Wiley III of Urbanna passed away on January 29, 2022 in a nearby hospital ICU following a sudden illness with unexpected complications. He had recently celebrated his 73rd birthday the day after Christmas.

Born in Lynchburg, Virginia, Cloyde grew up in Urbanna and graduated from Middlesex High School. To avoid confusion with his father and grandfather, in his youth he was known to his friends as Will. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 241 (now 341) where, thanks to the merciless prodding by Scoutmaster Dick Fleming, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. After he returned to live in Urbanna in 2007, he re-engaged with the troop in a leadership role, having been pressed into service by his friend, Miller Smither. In his 60s, he proudly achieved the Order of the Arrow, possibly being the oldest scout to achieve that honor.

For 35 years Cloyde taught Photography and various art classes at Central Virginia Community College and as an adjunct at Lynchburg College. Eleven years ago, he and his wife opened their business, “Urbanna Harbor Gallery” in Urbanna. He and his wife were founding members of two non-profits, “Friends of Urbanna Museum and Parks” and “Museums of Middlesex.” He loved sailing, photography, art, antiques, history, decoy carving, was an avid reader and collected way too much “stuff.”

He was the beloved husband of Barbara Hartley, and daily showed her in a thousand ways his adoration for her. His steadfast devotion elevated her life and enabled her to achieve things she otherwise might never have considered. He unwillingly leaves behind two daughters whom he dearly loved; Christina Wiley and Jessica Mann, and grandchildren Jaelyn, Sidney, and Carson Mann; and Callie Wiley. He will be missed sorely by his wife’s children who loved and embraced him as their own family; Shannon Gatti McCarthy, her husband G.W. and their children, Luke and Claire; Matthew Gatti (Roxanne); Erica Gatti, her husband Alan Sturgis and their children Gwendolyn and Greta. He is survived by his father, Cloyde William Wiley Jr. and brothers, Boyd (Brenda) and Bruce (Sharon). His mother was the late Gene Clayton Wiley, a strong, articulate, and humorous woman whom he admired so much. He also leaves behind his beloved bouncing Boykin, Perkins, and his ancient demented Siamese cat, Chogi. Additionally, he leaves behind his 1931 Model A Ford which he purchased when he was 17. This car was central to many adventures with friends in his youth, and he has been puttering with it ever since.

He was a Christian who was more deeply spiritual than religious. As he leaves behind dozens of projects begun but not completed, he can now rest in the loving arms of Yeshua bar Joseph (Jesus Christ) our creator God. He would want his many friends and associates to know how much he treasured them and is joyful to know they are looking out for his wife in her time of bereavement.

Arrangements are being handled by Bristow-Faulkner FH in Saluda.