Thomas James Wiley (Jim), 71, passed away on December 26, 2021. Jim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, and Coach. He passed peacefully and was surrounded by his family.
Jim was born on April 28, 1950 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada to Harry and Jean Wiley. Jim played two season in his hometown for the Soo Greyhounds before moving on to play at Lake Superior State and helping the team win a National Championship. He was inducted into the Sault Ste. Marie Hall of Fame in 2017 in the Player Category as well as inducted into the Lake Superior State Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997 and again in 2001 for the 1971-1972 NAIA National Championship team.
Jim was an All-American and Jim was the First Laker Hockey player to play in the NHL.
Jim has been involved in professional hockey for four decades serving in various coaching, scouting, player consultant, and administrative capacities. He played professionally for seven seasons split between the National Hockey League (Pittsburgh, Vancouver), American Hockey League (Hershey), and the Central Hockey League (Seattle, Tulsa), and has coached at various levels including the NHL with the San Jose Sharks, (11 years in the Sharks Organization) the AHL, ECHL, CHL, former International Hockey (IHL), and the United States Hockey League (USHL).
Jim earned an undergraduate degree from Lake Superior State and a master’s degree in athletic administration from the University of Tulsa.
Jim’s hobbies included watching his grandsons play baseball (they were the love of his life), golf and family.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents; Harry Wiley, Jean Wiley, and sister Judy Liut.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years Chris (Nelson), his son Jim, Jr., daughter-in-law Tiffanee, and two grandsons, Tanner (fiancé Emily) and Ty, brother-in-law George and Brenda Nelson, niece Sarah Dane (James), Jacob Nelson, and niece Sarah Liut.
A Celebration of Jim’s Life will be 2:00pm Thursday, December 30, 2021 at Grace Community Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
In Lieu of flowers Jim would hope you would consider donations in his name to PHPA (Professional Hockey Players Association), 1342 Military Road, Suite 5142, Niagara Falls, NY, 14304, Office Phone: (289) 296-5561.