Letha Wiley

Letha Ann Wiley, age 63, passed away November 6, 2021, surrounded by her family, after a lengthy battle with complications from HHT (Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia).

Letha was born May 14, 1958, in Aiken, South Carolina to James and Michael Watson. The first half of her childhood was spent with her family in the Air Force.  As a “military brat” she lived in many different countries including Japan, Germany, and Turkey and never completed a year in school at the same place until 8th grade. When her father retired the family moved to Panama City Beach, Florida where she graduated high school in 1976.

In late 1978 she met Kevin Wiley. They had their first date just before Valentine’s Day in 1979 and were married on April 16, 1979. They spent the next 13 years moving around while Kevin was in the Air Force, living in Germany, California, Georgia, Florida and Texas. After Kevin got out of the military they settled in Texas, first in San Antonio and then Elgin. Once in Texas she convinced her younger brother, Hans Watson, to move his family out to be closer to her.

She was always very involved in the church throughout her life. After moving to Elgin, she became active at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She was council and district president of St. Vincent de Paul, a confirmation teacher, and the assistant director of religious education, but the role at the church that she took the most joy in was as a youth group minister for 10 years.  Although Letha was medically unable to have children, she still managed to have more than the 50 kids she told Kevin she hoped for on their first date by being a maternal figure to any kid who passed through her door, starting with her brother’s two children, Claire and Scarlett, who she helped raise as if they were her own.

Letha is survived by her husband of 42 years, Kevin Wiley, siblings Kim and Hans Watson, nieces and their families, Letha Claire Goodale, Sean Goodale, Rory Goodale, Scarlett Watson, and Tyler Swoboda. As well as many other family members and loved ones.

Family and Friends will gather for Visitation at Elgin Funeral Home, Friday, November 12th from 6:00 until 8:00 PM. Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 PM. A Christian Funeral Mass will be conducted at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Elgin, Saturday, November 13th at 9:00 AM with Father George presiding. Inurnment will be private.

The family requests Memorial Contributions be made in Letha’s Memory, to the Cure HHT. (curehht.org)