Thomas Elmer Wiley Jr.

Thomas Elmer Wiley, Jr., age 85, born and raised in Austin, Texas, passed away on November 26, 2020 with his family by his side. Tom was mentally sharp to the end and in addition to managing his business and dabbling in investing; his main goal was taking care of his wife and family.

After serving in the Army Corp of Engineers, Tom went into business with his father at T E Wiley Company appraising real estate and managed properties for decades. During that time, he also served and retired as a Lt Col. from the Army Reserves. Throughout his life, Tom believed in education and keeping mentally stimulated; he had an alphabet soup of education and certifications including BSc, MBA, MAI, SRA. Tom was a well-rounded man and didn’t spend all his time studying; in addition to education, Tom was active for years in his Methodist Church, teaching Sunday school for over twenty years. Tom served as President of the Austin Board of Realtors in 1969 as well as at the National Association level attaining the status as an Emeritus Realtor member. He believed in giving back to his professional organization and made significant and lasting changes in his leadership role. Even though he enjoyed it, Tom wasn’t all work; he has been buying season tickets for UT Football since 1960. Tom was also an avid reader with memberships to numerous book clubs. His study is lined with shelves piled high with books. He passed on his love of reading to his grandchildren by introducing notable authors and gifting books to them.

College football was a passion for Tom. He was a life-long UT Football Fan, attending the games by walking to the stadium on his own at the age of 6 and buying a $0.25 ticket to sit in the end zone. Inspired by his love of the game, Tom played football in middle and high schools, leading his team to many exciting victories. Once he hit college (of course UT), Tom participated in Army ROTC, Texas Cowboys, and a social fraternity. Tom was a life member of the Texas Exes, purchasing his life membership the first year they were offered, and a fixture in section 6 row 29 for home football games. He was adamant about arriving at games at least an hour early to watch players warm up and continued to attend even as his physical health failed in later years.

After graduation and spending four years in the Army, he resettled back in Austin, married his beautiful wife, attended UT graduate school, and started his real estate career. As if his life wasn’t full enough, having kids didn’t slow Tom down. He was the designated driver to weekend swim meets for his children for over fifteen years and cheered for his children even into college and beyond. Little did he know that being head cheerleader would take him across the country and even the world in support of his children. Even though sports were important, Tom and his wife taught their children that education is the foundation for opportunity and ensured that no educational opportunity was denied their children or grandchildren, no matter the cost or sacrifice to themselves.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, MaryRuth; his children, Chuck Wiley of Austin, Maryruth (Jim) Bracken of Georgetown, Tom Wiley of Tulsa, OK, and Lindabeth (John) Doby of Arlington, VA; his nine grandchildren, Mary Margaret, Beth, Gillian, Katie, Abigail, Nathan, Thomas L., Rachel and Thomas E.; and his sister, Virginia Batte of Houston.