1st SGT John William Pauley, U.S. Army, (RET)

1st SGT John William Pauley, U.S. Army (RET), 81, of Homosassa, FL, passed away on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at HPH Hospice Citrus Care Center in Lecanto, FL. A native of Fort Knox, KY, he was born February 22, 1942 to John and Dorline (Newell) Pauley, one of three children. John served his country honorably and proudly in the United States Army for 24 years, attaining the rank of First Sergeant. First Sergeant Pauley was a highly decorated soldier and was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic and meritorious service under fire. Mr. Pauley moved to Homosassa in 2014 from Pevely, MO, a suburb of St. Louis, and was a faithful and devoted parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Homosassa. Upon John’s retirement from the Army, he became a stained glass artist and sold his creations at craft shows throughout the State of Illinois. He was a gifted and talented woodworker and John also enjoyed buying cars. First Sergeant Pauley was also a cribbage and billiards player, as well as a man who gave his heart to rescuing dogs. John was known as a man who never stopped learning during his life, and loved working on and figuring anything out. Some of his favorite foods were coconut custard pie, Chinese noodle candy and rice pudding. In addition to his parents, Mr. Pauley was preceded in death by a sister, Janice Mae Pauley. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 41 years, Kimberley Jean Pauley, Homosassa; children Tracy Michelle Pauley Yancey, Luxora, AR; Vincent Alois Pauley (Jeanne), Wentzville, MO; Jayson Miquel Pauley , Madrid, Spain and Faith Delores Pauley (Jaime Moreno), Villajoyosa, Spain; grandchildren Chasity Yancey Rece (Vince), Leechville, AR; Joseph Yancey (Amara), Little Rock, AR; Brigette Yancey, Jonesboro, AR; William Thomas Pauley, St. Louis, MO; Brittney Pauley Ladner, Springfield, MO; Jason Pauley, Iris Moreno and Alba Moreno, all of Madrid Spain; Valeria and Adriana Moreno, both of Villajoyosa, Spain; great grandchildren Noah, Abigail, Gavin, Kinsley, Kennedy, Kain, John Graham, Rosalie, Jason and Reybel; nieces Dawn and Wendy; nephews Kenneth and Anthony and nephew and godson James; his sister Virginia Helen Pauley Anderson (Ralph), Wright City, MO; mother-in-law Evelyn Ruth West Chambers, Homosassa and sisters-in-law Michele Ruth Chambers Niehaus (George) and Mary Ann Chambers Gaal, both of Homosassa. Friends will be received on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 from 3:00 to 6:00 P.M. at Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church with Fr. J. Glenn Diaz, Celebrant. Military Honors will follow at 12:30 P.M. at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida with the Florida Army National Guard and American Legion Post #155 of Crystal River, FL rendering honors. In lieu of flowers, John’s family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church at www.mystthomas.org Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa, Florida. www.wilderfuneral.com