Ralph George Wiles, 94, of Dixon, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, in Capital Region Medical Center, Jefferson City.
He was born Sept. 16, 1928, to Gideon Thurman and Lula Roxie (Green) Wiles in Brinktown.
He entered active federal service in the U.S. Army Aug. 8, 1947, at Fort Riley, Kan., and was honorably discharged Dec. 5, 1947, at Fort Lawton, Wash., at the rank of Private First Class, (PFC), earning a World War II Victory Medal.
Ralph was united in marriage to Bonnie Maxine Albertson, April 2, 1950, in Vienna.
He was a member of the Victory Hill Baptist Church, near Dixon, and the American Legion Post 12, Vienna.
Ralph continued his working career at Fort Leonard Wood with the Union as a heavy equipment operator for 35 years; Deputy Sheriff with Maries County Sheriff’s Office for 12-1/2 years; and custodian at Maries R-1 School, Vienna, for four years.
He was preceded in death by wife of 72 years, Bonnie; daughter, Brenda Carol Carter; grandsons, Jason Douglas Dake and Martin Wayne Wiles; siblings, Wilburn Wiles, infant brother Thurman A. Wiles, infant sister Mary Ruth Wiles, Jasper Wiles, Louise Faulkner and Thelma Bade.
He is survived by sons, Larry Wiles and wife Beverly of Dixon, Ronnie Wiles and wife Debbie of Iberia, Mike Wiles and friend Joy James of Eugene, Randy Wiles and wife Alice, Darryl Wiles and wife Kelly all of Dixon, and Jamie Wiles and wife Becky of Freeburg; grandson as a son, Donovan Wiles of the home in rural Dixon; 21 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren and two more on the way; and five great-great-grandchildren and one more on the way.
Funeral services were held Friday, Sept. 15, at the Victory Hill Baptist Church, Dixon, with Rev. Dennis Nichols officiating. Interment with full military honors was in the Lambeth Cemetery, near Vienna.
Memorials suggested to Lambeth Cemetery perpetual care fund.
Arrangements entrusted to Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Vienna.
