Remembering R.L.

 “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” —Ecclesiastes 3:1 

The life of this independent and courageous man began on November 20, 1928, in Bryan, Texas. R.L. was born to Jennie B. and Tom Wiley and received his formal education in the Bryan and Hammond public schools. As a young man, he moved to Odessa, Texas, where he worked in the oil fields until his retirement. R.L. was a God-fearing man who accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Savior at an early age. 

He was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Hammond, Texas, and St. James Baptist Church in Odessa, Texas. After relocating to Dallas, he united with Golden Gate Baptist Church, where he remained a faithful and active member. He proudly served as an usher until he was no longer physically able to do so. R.L. possessed a very special gift: he could make anyone feel like family, even if he had only just met them. He made it a point to check on his family and friends often and was always a source of encouragement and positivity. 

Those who knew him best described him as kind, caring, and warm-spirited, with a wonderful sense of humor that could brighten any room. R.L. enjoyed landscaping and was truly a jack-of-all-trades. He could build or repair almost anything and took tremendous pride in keeping his home, garden, and vehicles immaculate. For many years, he generously shared his time and talents by helping maintain Bethlehem Cemetery alongside his dear friend, Johnny Morgan. R.L. was also a devoted fan of the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers. Rarely, if ever, did he leave home without wearing one of his beloved baseball caps. 

On August 23, 2026, R.L. peacefully crossed over into eternity and entered the loving arms of his Heavenly Father. He transitioned at his residence, surrounded by his devoted wife, Helen, and his granddaughter, Kyndal. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and three sisters. R.L. leaves to cherish his precious memory his loving wife, Helen; his stepdaughter, Lynda Chew of DeSoto, Texas; his granddaughter, Kyndal Wilson of Los Angeles, CA, California; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends. 

R.L. will be deeply missed, but his family remains forever grateful for the love, laughter, wisdom, and treasured memories he shared. Although he is no longer physically present, his warm spirit and enduring legacy will remain forever in our hearts