Johnnie Wiley, age 73, passed away Thursday, January 5, 2012 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center following a brief illness. He was a lifelong resident of Hall County.
Johnnie was passionate about many things but none more than his family. Johnnie loved his wife of 55 years, Arrie Mae, as well as his children and their families. Johnnie always considered the needs of others ahead of his own and was a perfect example of a servant leader.
Johnnie Wiley is best known for his long career in the grocery business as co-founder of both J and J Foods of Gainesville and Quality Foods of Commerce. Johnnie was a lifelong entrepreneur who started and ran companies ranging from commercial real estate development to a funeral home and cemetery. He had a great love for meeting the needs of customers but he took special delight in observing the success of so many employees. For some, that success came inside the supermarket; for many, J&J Foods and Quality Foods provided a solid foundation for future careers.
Johnnie's interests included gardening, but while he enjoyed growing fruits, grapes, vegetables and flowers, his joy came in sharing from the bounty of his garden with others. For years, Johnnie provided muscadines, figs, tomatoes, squash, pears, and flowers to friends and often to grateful J&J employees and shoppers.
Johnnie was preceded in death by his parents, Joe Wiley and Idelle Smith Wiley Garner; two infant brothers, James and Roy Wiley; brothers-in-law Gene O'Kelley, Russell Murphy, and Junior Reece.
Survivors include his wife, Arrie Mae Reece Wiley; son and daughter-in-law, Darrell and Crevolyn Wiley; daughter and son-in-law, Scott and Vickie Wiley Willis; grandchildren, Nick and Emily Wiley Williams, Andrew Willis, Garrett Wiley, and Amy Beth Willis; sister and brother-in-law, Sandra and Richard Hulsey; step-father, Ed Garner; step-sister, Ann Garner Morgan; step-brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Debbie Garner; step-sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Donnie Dixon; and many special nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions be made to Helping Hands Foreign Missions, 1715 Cleveland Highway, Gainesville, GA 30501 (www.helpinghandsmissions.org) or the Lakewood Baptist Church Rays of Hope Special Ministry Project, 2235 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 (www.lakewoodlife.org).
The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 7th from 5:00-7:00 pm at Mason & Ward Funeral Home. A celebration service will be held on Sunday, January 8th at 2:00 pm at Lakewood Baptist Church in Gainesville. Dr. Thomas R. Smiley and Dr. Bart McMillan will officiate. Rev. Scott Wilson and Rev. Scott Strickland will offer the eulogy. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.
Mason & Ward Funeral Home, 1190 McEver Road, Gainesville, GA. 770-287-0220
