Thomas Bently Wigley

Thomas Bently Wigley, Sr.


Thomas Bently Wigley, Sr., 95, of The Sterling House of Central, South Carolina, and formerly of Greenwood, Mississippi passed Wednesday, December 1, 2010.


Mr. Wigley was born December 25, 1914, in Carroll County, Mississippi to Everett Bently and Mamie Chatham Wigley. He was a familiar member of the Greenwood, Mississippi community throughout his more than five decades of service at the Leflore County Court House. During the depression, Mr. Wigley joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and in 1941, entered the U.S. Army. From 1941-1945, he served his country honorably as a communications and switchboard operator with the 45th Infantry Division, Headquarters Battery, in the North African, Sicilian, Italian, and French campaigns. In September of 1944, he was severely wounded in southern France, losing sight in both eyes when his truck hit a land mine. Mr. Wigley, who received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, was honorably discharged in 1945 and moved back to Mississippi, living for several years with his sister and brother-in-law, Maureen and William Hammons.


In 1946, the State of Mississippi helped Mr. Wigley open a concession stand in the Leflore County Court House, where he worked for more than 52 years. He was well known for his kindness, his love of family and friends, and his gratitude and sense of service to his country. In 1996, Mr. Wigley was recognized by the Country Board of Supervisors for 50 years of service, and in 1998, the Business Enterprise Program of the State of Mississippi recognized him for his 52 years of community service. Mr. Wigley was a longtime member of the West President Church of Christ. Chris Crowe, author of the 2003 historical novel, Mississippi Trial, 1955, used Mr. Wigley as the inspiration for his character Mr. Paul, as a result of their meeting in the Leflore County Court House some years earlier. Mr. Wigley retired in 1998, and in 2000, he moved to Sterling House in Central, South Carolina, in order to be near family members.


He is preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Annie Karlene Smith Wigley, and his brothers and sisters, Henry Albert Wigley, Mamie Maureen Hammons, Lewis Benjamin Wigley, Hilda Riley, Everett Bentley Wigley, Jr., and Harry Lee Wigley.


Mr. Wigley is survived by two sons, Thomas Bently Wigley, Jr. and wife, Gloria of Central, South Carolina, and David Everette Wigley and wife, Dana Fox of Atlanta, Georgia; two sisters, Sallie Belle Fox of Pensacola, Florida, and Barbara Key Clark, of Oak Grove, Louisiana; and two grandchildren, Bryan Everett Wigley and Samuel Chatham Wigley, both of whom are active duty riflemen in the U.S. Marine Corps and are combat veterans of the conflict in Afghanistan.


Funeral services will be held in Greenwood, Mississippi and burial will be in the Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery near the Jefferson community in Carroll County, Mississippi.


Memorials may be made to West President Church of Christ, 1002 W. President Street, Greenwood, Mississippi 38930.


Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central-Clemson Commons which is assisting the family.