EDMOND, Okla. — Wiley L. Risley, 84, of Edmond, Oklahoma, died on Monday, April 21, 2025, at his home following a leukemia diagnosis earlier this year.
He was born on Oct. 31, 1940, in Stafford to Ray William and Merle (Mawhirter) Risley. The family eventually moved to Girard, and he graduated from Girard High School in 1958.
On June 28, 1963, Wiley married the love of his life, Judith Mae (Boor) Risley, in Mc-Cune. That year, they moved to Parsons, where Wiley worked first for the Katy Railroad and then with the Parsons Police Department. A few years later, Wiley and Judith moved to rural Dennis, where they lived on 10 acres, raised their three children and Wiley worked as a rural letter mail carrier. After selling the farm in 1999, they moved back to Parsons, and Wiley became the full-time preacher for the Parsons Church of Christ.
In 2009, Wiley and Judith decided to move to Edmond, Oklahoma, to be closer to their three children, Darren, Dustin and Angie, who all attended Oklahoma Christian University. Wiley and Judith became active members of the Edmond Church of Christ, and Judith remains a member now. Wiley was a lifelong member of the Churches of Christ.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Judith Mae Risley; sons, Darren Ray Risley of Oklahoma City and Dustin Allan Risley of Edmond; a daughter, Angela Ranae Merritt of Oklahoma City; seven grandchildren, Izabella Vionette Risley, Claire Olivia Risley, Drake MacArthur Risley, Carlee Ranae Risley, Grant Ryan Risley, Ada Blythe Merritt and Mila June Merritt; and a sister, Rama Jean Adams.
He was preceded in death by three grandchildren, Lola Kate Merritt, Jude Risley Merritt and Nikola Wiley Risley; and a brother, Randy Dean Risley.
A memorial service was Saturday, April 26, at the Edmond Church of Christ in Edmond. Burial was at Gracelawn Cemetery in Edmond, Oklahoma.
The family suggests memorials to In Search of the Lord’s Way through the Edmond Church of Christ.
