Wiley Patton Winter, 61, of Lakeland, TN entered the church triumphant on Monday, October 11, 2021. He was born January 10, 1960 in Union City, TN to the late George “Butch” Winter, III and Rita Wiley Winter. Wiley was an active member of Bartlett United Methodist Church where he sang in the Chancel Choir and was active in other music ministries. He was an avid collector of military insignia, which was a lifetime hobby. Wiley was a published writer who appeared in many Military Insignia Trade Journals and several local fiction publications.
Wiley received an Associates Degree in Computer Science from State Technical Institute at Memphis and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Tennessee at Martin. He retired as a network engineer and as a Major with 26 years of service from the Tennessee National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve. Wiley served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and was deployed to Camp Arifjan Kuwait from 2006-2007, where he served as Senior Team Chief in Information Operations. During his military service, he earned numerous awards but was most proud of his Army Commendation Medal for Exceptionally Meritorious Service, which he earned during his deployment in Kuwait.
Wiley is survived by his wife of 38 years, Teresa Elizabeth Keeton Winter of Lakeland, TN, his sons Christopher Patton (Joni) Criswell of Greer, SC, Michael Wiley Winter of Memphis, TN, and Robert Keeton (Stephanie) Winter of Memphis, TN, and his grandchildren Jaxon Patton Criswell, Catherine Teresa Winter, and Riley Mae Winter, his sister, Apryl Winter of Union City, TN, his brother, Patryck (Blair) Winter of Waverly, TN, his youngest sister, Mellany (Jack) Warner of Union City, TN, and several nieces and nephews.
A visitation for Wiley will be held Wednesday, October 20, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133. The Funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 21, 2021 at 10am at Bartlett United Methodist Church. A committal service with military honors will follow Thursday, October 21, 2021 at 2:30 PM at West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 4000 Forest Hill Irene Rd, Memphis, TN 38125.
Wiley requested memorials be made to the Music Fund at Bartlett United Methodist Church.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralGermantownParkway.com for the Winter family.
