Obituaries

Wiley Lee McDaniel, the oldest of the four children of Johnny Lee and Gladys McDaniel, was born on June 13, 1924, in Eldorado, Oklahoma and passed from this life on November 8, 2018 at Texoma Medical Center. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 10:00 AM at Pottsboro Church of Christ with Brother Kevin Schimp officiating. Interment will be held at 2:00 PM at Crestview Memorial Park in Wichita Falls, TX. The family will greet friends on Friday, November 9, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Dannel Funeral Home.

As a depression era family, Wiley’s parents moved several times before settling in Iowa Park, Texas, where Wiley graduated from W.F. George High School in 1942. In high school he played football, ran track, and acted in the senior play. After high school, he joined the U.S. Navy where he spent 31 months onboard the battleship, U.S.S. Indiana, during World War II.

Following his return from war, he married the love of his life, Levora McWhorter. They spend almost sixty years together before cancer claimed her in 2006.

Wiley and Levora spent a good part of their married life living in Wichita Falls and Iowa Park where he worked for the Katy and the Ft. Worth and Denver railroads for eleven years, and also did construction work. In 1968, they relocated to Sherman, so Wiley could build the auto maintenance shop at Perrin Field. They loved the area so much that they decided to stay. Wiley continued his career as a construction superintendent working for Mitchell Construction and J.L. Spears Construction where he built and remodeled schools, churches, post offices, fire stations, court houses, city halls, and universities. After being retired for many years, he re-entered the workforce at age 85 working for his good friend, Chip Piazza. He built the warehouse for Goodwill Industries in Sherman and the Pottsboro Church of Christ. While building the Pottsboro Church, Wiley became acquainted with the church members and pastor and decided to join the church where he was a member until his death. Wiley enjoyed raising and racing quarter horses for many years and traveling the United States with Texoma Tours. In his later years, he became quite adventurous. At age 90, Wiley zip-lined for the first time and at 91, he did the weightless experience at IFly Dallas. He credits hard work, determination, and love of family for his long life. He loved and was very proud of his family. He is survived by his children – Patty and Alan Langley of Denison, Johnny and Beverly McDaniel of Sherman and Vicki Mitchell of Sherman; grandchildren – Johnny Lee McDaniel, Craig Mitchell, Chad Mitchell, Kristi Rodriguez, Jennifer Mitchell, Jason Matherly, and Leann McDaniel; 15 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and too many friends to count! Wiley never met a stranger and made friends wherever he went. His sweet smile and warm heart will be greatly missed. You may sign online condolences at www.Dannelfuneralhome.com.