Samuel Ervin Wiley was born on April 25,1934 in East Spencer , NC He was the second oldest of five children born to Angeline Kelly and Jay Vance Wiley, Sr.

He attended Dunbar High School  and graduated in 1953, Sam was a starting member of his high school basketball team.

He later went on to attend North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, NC and would come home every weekend to work to financially support his education.

In 1956 Sam graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Industrial Arts with a concentration in Carpentry.  After graduating from college he worked in Vauxhall,NJ before being drafted in the U.S. Army where he was assigned to the 18th Engineering Company Ladd AFB, Fairbanks, Alaska. He had reached the rank of Specialist 5 at the time of his discharge from the Army. Upon his discharge from the Army, Sam returned to Anchorage, Alaska where he worked on the Construction of the University of Alaska , Anchorage.

In 1961 Sam married the love of his life Evelyn Drafton, they relocated to Bakersfield, California where they lived for approximately thirty years.After his early retirement in 1992 from the Carpenters Union for Southern California.Sam and Evelyn moved back to East Spencer, NC where he built their home almost single-handedly their loving marriage endured for sixty years.

Sam was known for helping his fellow man. He was a real contributor to his community and a man of God giving freely of his time and services.

A fighter to the very end, Sam went on to be with the Lord peacefully in his sleep on May 8, 2025.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; Evelyn Wiley, two brothers; Jay Vance Wiley, Jr., and Robert  N.Wiley.

Sam leaves behind a sister ; Elva Chawlk , Hampton, VA, , brother; Jerry W. Wiley,MD,(Iris) , Raleigh,NC ,in addition to a host of nieces,nephews, cousins,extended family and dear friends.

Funeral Services: Saturday May 24, at 12 Noon at Southern City Tabernacle A.M. E. Zion Church, visitation  11:00-12:00, burial Salisbury National Cemetery Tuesday May 27,11:00 a.m.Public viewing Friday May 23, 11:00-5:00 p.m.

The family are asking in lieu of flowers make a donation to: Southern City Tabernacle City A.M.E. Zion Scholarship, P.O. Box 547, East Spencer,NC 28039