Jerome "Jerry" Turner Wylie

Jerome began his journey on October 3, 1931 in Blacksburg, SC and ended his journey on October 24, 2021 in Greenville, SC. He was a son of Julia Turner and James G. Wylie, Sr. Life in the Depression era was tough, but he was surrounded by a loving family and grandparents. His siblings are sister Ola Nell Wylie Yelton (deceased), brother James G. Wylie, Jr., and sister Julia Wylie Bumgarner.

After finishing high school, he enrolled at Clemson University from which he graduated in 1953. He immediately began his service in the Army as a Lieutenant in the Armor Corp. He was stationed at Fort Knox, KY and completed his service at Fort Stewart, GA as a member of the 17th Armored Group as Group Training Officer. He always loved tanks and spent his service learning how to use them to defend our country. After military service, he worked many years in the plastics industry and retired in 1994 as Director of Personnel of his beloved J.E. Sirrine Engineering Company.

Jerome was a loving husband to Mary Austin Wylie, and they celebrated 60 years together. They were blessed with sons Jerry Austin Wylie, Jeffrey Scott Wylie, and daughter Julia Carole Wylie Histon. He was so proud of his children and was a loving father to them. Jerome and Mary have seven wonderful grandchildren, who they love dearly, and he was a doting “Papa” to them.

Jerome is survived by his wife Mary; his son Jerry (Amy) and children Justin (Allison) and Jacob; son Jeff (April) and children Morgan and Scott; daughter Julie (Brian) and children Haley and twins Katherine and Thomas; and special puppy, Baby. He is also survived by his brother, Jim (Margie); his sister, Julia; his sister-in-law Barbara Brock Austin; his sister-in-law, Margie Austin Gibson (Richard), and his sister-in-law Frances McInnis Austin. He also was a proud uncle to many nieces and nephews.

A devout Christian, he was a member of First Baptist Church in Greenville since 1961 where he served as a Sunday School teacher and deacon. He was a member of the M.T. Anderson Sunday School class. Jerome’s loves in life were his Lord, his family, his country, and Clemson. In retirement, he became an accomplished genealogist, researching and writing many family histories. He was always interested in history and science and followed the news in those areas. He always said, “Life is too short to do all I want to do.”

His smile and his sense of humor reflected his love and respect for others. He believed any wealth he had was a gift from God and was to be shared with others in need. Many charitable organizations shared in his generosity.

A celebration of life service will be held November 6, 2021 at 1:00 pm at First Baptist Greenville with Rev. Dr. Jim Dant and Rev. Dr. Steve Cothran officiating. Visitation will follow the service. Inurnment in the church columbarium will follow for family only. The family requests that attendees follow the church’s facemask/social distancing protocols.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Greenville, 847 Cleveland Street, Greenville, SC, 29601 or to other charities of one’s choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mackeycenturydrive.com for the Wylie family.