Deacon Wiley Thomas, 73, of Bunnell, entered the sunset of life on Thursday, September 30, 2010 at Grand Oaks Health & Rehab Center in Palm Coast following an extended illness. The son of Lonnie Thomas and Ollie Mae Young, Wiley was born in Falmouth, (Suwannee County) Florida on Thursday, May 27, 1937. At an early age the family relocated to Bunnell and he was educated in the Flagler County School District. Wiley has resided in Bunnell for the past 70 years and served as a former member and Deacon at St. James Missionary Baptist Church, Bunnell. Wiley was united in marriage to the former Jeanette Ford on March 18, 1970.

Wiley was employed as a heavy equipment operator by Ranger Paving Company in Daytona Beach for 31 years until retirement. He had a passion for horses, his cowboy boots and auto racing. Wiley loved his family and touched many lives. He always had a humorous story to share and you could always feel the sincerity of his love. Wiley is preceded in eternal rest by his parents; the mother who raised him, Delsey Oliver; and son, Leon James Turner.

To cherish his memories: loving wife of 40 years, Jeanette Ford-Thomas, Bunnell; beloved children, Annette Lasitter, Emma Jean McDonald, Brenda (Stafon) Jenkins, Rose Walker, Wayne Walker, Jeffrey (Sandy) Ford, all of Daytona Beach; Queen Thomas-Smith, Gainesville; Clara (Elvis) Mincey, Joe Walker, both of Palatka; Windy (James) Ford-Butler, Wiley S. (Vivian) Thomas, both of Palm Coast; Delores Walker, Lake City; Ronald (Temeca) Ford, Bunnell; Gregory (Deborah) Thomas, Clovits, NM; Anthony (Sherill) Ford, Richmond, VA; Darryl Ford, Atlanta, GA; Terry Price, Vidalia, GA; Brother, Lewis Taylor, Syracuse, NY; mother-in-law, Tessie Hill, Bunnell; sisters-in-law, Marilyn Williams, Orlando; Sue (Bob) Burns, Palm Coast; Diane Oliver, Kissimmee; 42 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation of family & friends will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, October 8 at Fellowship Restorational Church, 2550 US 1 North, Bunnell, Rev. Elijah Emanuel, Pastor.

Homegoing Celebration will be at 12 Noon, Saturday, October 9 at First Baptist Church of Bunnell, 2301 Commerce Parkway, Bunnell, Rev. Ron Moore, Pastor. Rev. Elijah Emanuel is the eulogist and Rev. Rick Torrence, pastor, Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, Hastings, presiding.

Interment will be Masonic Cemetery, Palm