Funeral services were held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at Christ United Church in Jackson for Wiley Ray Philley, 84, of Jackson, formerly of Grenada, who went to be with his Heavenly Father on Friday, Jan. 10. Burial was held separately for family in Grenada. Visitation was held from 11 a.m. until service time on Thursday, Jan. 16, at the church.
Wiley was born on Feb. 16, 1940, in Calhoun City, the son of the late Wiley Wendall Philley and the late Climmie Ray Philley. Wiley and his family later called Grenada home and it is where he spent his early years.
Wiley met his future wife, Ann Mason Sims, while both were in school together at John Rundle High School in Grenada. After graduation from high school in 1957, he attended Holmes Jr. College and then went on to Mississippi State University. Wiley majored in accounting and received his bachelor’s degree in 1961. He worked his way through college and was also a proud member of the Mississippi Army National Guard. He was on the President’s List for academic honors throughout his time in college. He also attended Jackson School of Law.
After graduation from Mississippi State University, Wiley and Ann married in 1961, and moved to Mobile, Ala., to start their new life. Wiley began his career with Ernst & Ernst CPA Firm as a staff auditor in Mobile, Ala., and then Jackson. A significant portion of his time was dedicated to hospital audits having responsibilities for numerous
hospitals including the initial period of Medicare adoption by healthcare systems. He loved working in hospitals and began his hospital management career as controller with Hinds General Hospital in Jackson. He became a Certified Public Accountant, which was always one of his significant professional achievements.
Wiley’s career then took him to Jackson, Tenn., in 1976, where he was vice president and associate director of finance with Jackson Madison County General Hospital for 10 years. In 1987, his career brought him back home to Mississippi where he was the director of finance at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. After his retirement, Wiley began his own healthcare consulting company providing assistance to hospitals and their intersections with Medicare rules and regulations. Wiley was a member of the Hospital Financial Management Association for 20 years — leading him to various Board positions of the Mississippi Association including president from 1986-88.
Wiley had a deep Christian relationship with God and was most recently a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Jackson where he was an active member of Open Doors Sunday School Class and the John Case Growth Group. He also enjoyed his weekly men’s Bible study group. Wiley served as a trustee for the church and in that time, he was involved in the Board aspects of construction and opening of a new Christ Church in 2019, which is still the home of Christ Church today. Over the years, he was active in
several churches including Trinity Presbyterian in Jackson, serving in many capacities there as fourth-grade Sunday school teacher, youth fellowship advisor, deacon, usher and on the pastoral search committee, and First Methodist Church in Jackson, Tenn., where he served as chairman of the administrative board, Sunday school superintendent and teacher.
Community activities over the years included, Rotary Club; Arts Council president in Jackson, Tenn.; Old Hickory Academy School Board; Medical Explorer Scout unit advisor; Tennessee Medicaid Medical Advisory Committee; president of Northpointe Village Homeowners Association, and the Mississippi State University Alumni Association.
Wiley had an incredible love for Mississippi State University. He enjoyed attending all Bulldog sporting events — he was always there to support his team. He loved those rewarding trips to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., and Final Four trips for men’s and women’s basketball in Newark, N.J.; Dallas, Texas, and Columbus, Ohio, over the years as well. In 2021, the men’s baseball National Championship was the latest highlight in his Bulldog sporting career culminating with his color picture on the cover of the sports section in “The Clarion Ledger” in that dramatic baseball season.
And finally, Wiley cherished his family more than anything in the world and loved spending time with all as often as possible. He was always quick to let you know how Chris and Kimberly were doing and the happenings of all of his grandchildren as well. He always enjoyed driving to North Carolina and Florida, and spending time getting there to see his children and grandchildren. His affinity for an atlas and the car were always a discussion topic, and the various paths of travel from here to there, including the mileage.
In addition to his parents, three brothers, Leon Philley, Dean Philley and Gary Philley, preceded Wiley in death.
Survivors include, his wife of 63 years, Ann; his children, Christopher R. Philley (Lisa Greene) of Jacksonville, Fla., and Kimberly P. Hutchinson (Ryan) of Wake Forest, N.C.; his grandchildren, Christopher Reagan Philley, Mason Reaves Hutchinson and Olivia Katherine Hutchinson; his sisters, Peggy McAlpin (Smokey) of Clinton, Linda Philley Aldridge of Fargo, N.D.; one brother, Robert Philley (Sue) of Grenada and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Mississippi State University Foundation, P.O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762, or Christ United Church, 6000 Old Canton Rd., Jackson, MS 39211.
