James Curtis Wiley, 69 of Vacaville, passed away at his home early morning on December 23rd.

He was born in El Paso, TX on May 10, 1951 to James and his beloved mother Lola Wiley.  Soon after graduating from Bel Air High School in El Paso, "Bobby" as he was known to family during his youth, entered the U.S. Air Force on December 16, 1969. At 18 years-old, J.C. (as he was known to most of us) soon found himself serving his country while stationed at CCK Airbase in Taiwan and flying combat missions to southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.

J.C. was eventually stationed at Travis Air Force Base and met the love of his life, Agnes, whom he married in 1981.  For over forty years, she was his greatest partner, friend and even his greatest match during their frequent ribbing sessions with one another.  Together, they built a life dedicated to their family, to service and most of all, to each other.

J.C. rose to the rank of Chief Master Sargeant and proudly served in the U.S.A.F. for nearly three decades.  He served in every major conflict that his country had during his tenure, from Vietnam to the Middle East and beyond with assignments on all seven continents along the way.   Amongst many medals and awards he earned during his career, J.C. was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross (with two devices) and the Airman's Medal, both awarded for acts of heroism. He retired from active-duty service at Travis AFB in 1997 after 28 years in the Air Force.

J.C. would begin a second career at the California State Prison Solano in Vacaville.  He soon came to realize that for him, guarding prisoners was not enough when helping to guide them would be a better use of his skills, his head and his heart.  He became a counselor working from the assumption that everyone has something good within them and something to contribute.  He focused himself on helping individuals find that good and that purpose.

Service was a big part of his life and he was dedicated to it. Even after retiring from his second career, he would use that same selfless commitment to volunteer countless hours helping fellow veterans and the homeless.  Whether he was in uniform or simply in his own backyard with friends and family, if someone had a problem, he'd offer perspective, if someone needed something done, he'd make time to help do it and if someone had something broken, he'd almost certainly have a tool to help fix it.

J.C. was not all work as those who know him best will attest to.  His brothers from the 75th Military Airlift Squadron, his friends from all walks of life and his family all know how much he liked to have fun.  Whether he was telling stories about his grandkids, riding his Harleys through Napa or the South of France, visiting his cherished second home in Ireland, talking about his Cowboys or his Lakers, or enjoying his music, J.C. knew how to have fun.  And when he was having fun, we all knew it because he had a smile that would light up a room and a laugh that would fill it with warmth.

Finally, J.C. was a selfless and courageous fighter.  He spent his entire life fighting for his country, his friends, his family and for what he believed was right.  Even in his final fight with pancreatic cancer, he would often turn his focus toward those individuals around him.  His excellent doctors and nurses who treated him at David Grant Medical Center during his years long battle talk about how his indomitable will and generous spirit were evident even while receiving countless hours of chemotherapy.  For a good part of seven years, he could often be found in the Oncology department on Wednesdays receiving intensive treatment while offering words of encouragement to other patients and good-natured teasing and support to the staff he came to love so much.

In the end, J.C. lost his fight with cancer, but he won at life.   He left us with a full heart, Agnes at his side and a beautiful life worth celebrating.

J.C. is survived by his wife Agnes, their four children Jimmy, Janet, Marcus and Shana, a son-in-law, Jorge, a daughter-in-law, Bridget, five grandchildren Jeremy, Jack-Jack, Eddie, Brigid and Derek and extended family in the U.S. and in Ireland.

J.C. will be laid to rest on Thursday, January 7th at Veterans Memorial Park in Dixon with a (virtual) Celebration of Life to follow.  In lieu of flowers the family requests that you consider a donation to his favorite charity The Opportunity House in Vacaville in his honor.

For information on how to virtually attend his funeral service or Celebration of Life, please email Marcus@WileyWayEnt.com with "J.C. Wiley" in the subject.