John N. Wiles
A Celebration of Life for John N. Wiles, 69, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 9, 2015, followed by a visitation, at The First Christian Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home
John died Thursday, September 3, 2015, at Ozarks Medical Center in West Plains.
He was born October 6, 1945, at West Plains, Missouri, to Dr. Jack N. Wiles and Betty Coon Wiles. John graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1963 and went on to graduate from Drury College (University) in Springfield, Missouri in 1967. While at Drury, John was a member and officer of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He then pursued his law degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. While at Tulane, he served as a member of the Tulane Law Review and graduated in 1970 with his Juris Doctor in Law.
John married the love of his life, Georgiana Dickey on August 12, 1966 in Cabool, Missouri. John and Georgiana have two children: John (Jay) N. Wiles, II and Dee Georgiana Wiles Evans.
John and Georgiana moved to West Plains in July of 1970, where, after passing the Missouri Bar exam, he established his law office. In 1971, John was appointed Howell County Prosecutor and served two terms. In addition to his law office, John took great pride in the development of Wiles Abstract and Title Company. John also served on the board of the Missouri Land Title Association in various capacities and ultimately as President of the Missouri Land Title Association from 1991-1992.
John believed strongly in his community and took every opportunity to give back to West Plains in many ways, including through:
1) Recognition and award for his Pro Bono legal work with juveniles in the 37th Judicial Circuit in 2000;
2) Habitat for Humanity;
3) Industrial Development Corporation of Howell County/West Plains
4) West Plains Rotary Club, as both a member and former President;
5) West Plains Library Board
6) President of the West Plains Library Foundation 2003-2004 and a member from 2001-2006;
7) Long-standing member of the West Plains Chamber of Commerce and Chamber “Citizen of the Year” in 2009;
8) Member of the Missouri State University Development Board from 2003-2009;
9) Member of Mt. Zion 327 Masonic Lodge of West Plains;
10) Missouri State University Advisory Board;
11) West Plains Country Club lifelong member and President of the Board for two terms;
12) West Plains Bank & Trust Company Board of Directors for 30 years
Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Georgiana Dickey Wiles of West Plains; Son, John N. Wiles, II, his wife, Billie and children, Michael and Destiny of West Plains and Jimmy of Springfield; Daughter, Dee Georgiana Wiles Evans, her husband Randal and children, Robert and Brandon, of West Plains. John is also survived by his brother, Tom Dee Wiles and his wife, Gayle, of Springfield; and his sister, Elizabeth Ann Wiles Godwin and her husband, Dr. Lehman Godwin, of Springfield; and four nieces and nephews.
Mr. Wiles will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. A private burial will be held. In Lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Dr. Jack N. Wiles Scholarship at the West Plains branch of Missouri State University and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
CENTURY BANK OF THE OZARKS
September 4, 2015 @ 4:06 pm
We wish you to know that the officers, directors and the entire staff of CENTURY BANK of the Ozarks join in an expression of sympathy and condolence to all of the family at this time of sorrow.
John Negri
September 4, 2015 @ 4:34 pm
John was one of my favorite people and I will miss him for sure.
Virginia Berry
September 4, 2015 @ 4:46 pm
So sorry for your loss, prayer for his family and his work family.
Amanda Gray
September 4, 2015 @ 9:03 pm
Dee & Family,
I am so sorry to hear of this loss. Mr. Wiles was my first boss after graduating high school. I enjoyed working for his company. I hope the many memories will bring you comfort during this time. Prayers for you and your family.
Mike and Diana Pace
September 5, 2015 @ 7:20 pm
We are saddened to hear of John”s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Dr. Norman and Jan Tullis
September 6, 2015 @ 12:06 pm
Dearest Tom and Gayle,
Our heartfelt sorrow for you both. Hope you know we are available to help in any way.
Fondly,
Norm and Jan
Jan Adamson
September 6, 2015 @ 5:21 pm
In memory of such an impressive man, and, in sympathy for the loss of your precious family member. Jan Adamson, a former West Plains resident.
Carolyn Crider Kelley
September 7, 2015 @ 8:39 am
I first met John as a shy little boy who came in with Betty to gather the laundry when I worked for Smith-Wiles Clinic in ’57-59 . I met him as an adult when I returned to West Plains in ’78 and worked for him many times in my capacity of court reporter. He was always a gentleman and usually had a story to tell, quite often on himself. He was very good at untangling witness’ testimony and making sense of it without offending the people involved.
My condolences on your loss. His family was his most important thing in his life.
Ron Pringle
September 8, 2015 @ 12:25 am
As a senior officer of West Plains Bank and Trust I had the privilege of working with John for 15 years. I appreciated the insight and wisdom he brought forth at our board meetings as well as the times he would stop by my office and offer his support or make an information request. His devotion to West Plains was clearly evident to me. Mary and I wish to convey our condolences to his family and assure you of our prayers during this difficult time. We are overseas and will not be able to attend the service.
Roger Lindsey
September 8, 2015 @ 11:33 am
We are saddened in Cabool to hear of John’s passing and hold Ann and family up in our prayers. Everyone knows how supportive and giving John was to West Plains. It didn’t stop there, as we know in Cabool how giving he was to his family here. As a banker I always enjoyed visiting with John and was amazed at his insight to banking and how well he knew the local economy and what he knew about our bank. It’s hard to find men like him.
Karen Dugger
September 8, 2015 @ 12:52 pm
My prayers and thoughts are with each of you in your loss. John was a true hero to so many and will be missed! Hold onto all of your precious memories! His devotion to West Plains was clearly evident in all his work! Love and prayers to all!
Louis Kimble
September 8, 2015 @ 1:31 pm
I met John when I was a sophomore in High School as John was my mentor for the debate team. John and I stayed in contact through the years but become closer the last few years as I spent more time in West Plains. John got me to join the country club which I am still a member of and John was also my Sunday morning coffee and golf partner when I was in town.
I had a meeting with John in recent days and as always laughing about life and how lucky we both were. Sunday mornings at the country club won’t be the same without my close friend.
My prayers and love go out to each of his family members as John will so be missed by many.
Jeanne Murrell
September 8, 2015 @ 2:52 pm
I worked for John in the early 80’s for a few years at Wiles Abstract . He was a good and fair man and helped many people in the community. I admired him and respected him for who he was and what he did and am so sorry for the loss, for family, friends and the West Plains community. God bless.
Robert and Deana Gleghorn
September 9, 2015 @ 7:01 pm
Our condolences to the family. Our sympathy and prayers are with you at this sad time. Robert and Deana Gleghorn
Delmar Poe
September 11, 2015 @ 12:02 pm
Ann,
I am so sorry to hear about your lose. I know this is a tough time for you and your family. I wanted to let you know your old friends are thinking of you. Del