Wiley McDonald Jr.

Wiley Green McDonald Jr. was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana, May 19, 1927 to Eva Heard and W.G. McDonald Sr., the fifth child in a family of eight. His earthly priorities were his family, friends, work, fishing, ranching, sports, church and storytelling. He was a born salesman, very disciplined and a disciplinarian. His favorite times were entertaining family and friends with a fish fry or hamburgers off the grill. He was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren and their accomplishments. Wiley was born in the Great Depression when everyone contributed. He was a paper boy early on, worked in the local drugstore through high school and began buying his clothes and other needs at fifteen. After high school and during the World War II, he joined the U.S. Navy where he proudly served for three years, attended college on the G.I. Bill, graduated from Sam Houston State Teachers College with a business degree in 1950 and married his college sweetheart, Marian Boyd, in 1951. After other jobs he joined Humble Oil and Refining Co. in 1953 where he spent thirty-three years, finishing his career as a senior salesman with Exxon Chemical. As a member of the Greatest Generation, Wiley believed strongly in an education and in giving back. After losing their oldest child, James, in a tragic accident, he and Marian began their college endowments, beginning with James alma mater, the University of Arkansas, later adding TCU and Sam Houston State. Known to his friends as "Mac" and to his family as "Grumpy", he was preceded in death by son James Claude McDonald, his parents and six of his siblings. He is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years, Marian, and their children, Ann Marie McDonald and Robert Neel McDonald of Ft. Worth, Wiley Green McDonald III and wife Pam of Huntsville. Surviving grandchildren are Kristin Leigh Humphrey (Justin) of Houston, Kaitlyn Marie McDonald of Dallas, and James Chandler McDonald of Ft. Worth. He is also survived by his brother, Leo McDonald and wife Ann of Shreveport, La., brother-in-law, Robert Boyd and wife Glenda of Wortham, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Services for Mr. McDonald will be held Wednesday, August 29, at First United Methodist Church, 1016 Sam Houston Ave., Huntsville: Visitation in the coffee lobby at 10 a.m., church service at 11 a.m., Graveside services and burial will be held at 4:30 p.m. in the Wortham, Texas Cemetery. In lieu of the usual remembrances, contributions to First United Methodist Church Building Fund would be most appreciated. Memorial condolences made to the family at www.shmfh.com. or www.blair-stubbs.com.

Interment Details

Wortham Cemetery