North Pitt Teacher Passes Away

Some of you may remember Sgt. Neal from North Pitt High School:

Wiley T. Neal Sgt. First Class, (Retired), US Army, age 71 of 6407 Hwy. 30, Bethel, died Saturday, April 17, 2010. A memorial service will be held today at 11 a.m. at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church, Greenville. He was born in Wilson County to Wiley D. Parker-Neal and Sally I. Isom-Neal. He received his early education in the Nash County Public Schools and completed his College Education at various universities during his military career. Wiley entered the US Army in 1957 at the age of 19 years old. From that day forward, he became the consummate soldier and remained so for the rest of his life. When he first entered the Military, he joined the Paratroopers and completed jump school at Fort Benning, Ga. From Fort Benning, he was reassigned to Fort Bragg for a short period with the 82nd Airborne Division. Wiley was trained as a medic and continued to provide medical care for his fellow soldiers for the remainder of his career. Following a short stay at Fort Bragg, he was reassigned to Germany where he remained until January of 1961. During his tour of duty at Brooke Army Medical Center he was promoted to the enlisted rank of E-6. Wiley again returned to Germany where he was promoted to the enlisted Rank of Sergeant First Class, E-7. Following his tour of duty in Germany he returned to Brooke Army Medical Center for a short period. From Texas Wiley was assigned to Viet Nam for the first of two tours there. Wiley received Purple Hearts for his wounds and received among many other decorations and awards for his acts of valor. Wiley's final assignment was Fort Bragg, Womack Army Medical Center. Wiley served there until his retirement from active Military in 1977. Following his retirement from the Army, Wiley continued to serve his beloved country by teaching young men and women military science through ROTC for the next 30 years. Known by most as Sergeant Neal, he served with distinction until his eventual retirement in 2006. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ethel Marie Parker Neal of the home; two sons, Wiley Thomas Neal III and wife, Valerie, of Winterville, and A. Boris Neal of Raleigh; four brothers, Dr. Marvin R. Neal of St. Louis, Mo., Milton T. Neal of Oklahoma City, Okla., Willie Neal and James E. Neal of Sharpsburg; six sisters, Sally Bethea of Greensboro, Evelyn Gray of Rocky Mount, Lillie Rose Edwards and Cynthia Proctor of Wilson, Dorothy Neal of Raleigh, and Mona Faison of High Point; two grandchildren, Catherine Holland Neal and Wiley T. Neal IV of Winterville, NC. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Wounded Warrior Project, 7020 AC Skinner Pkwy. Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256, c o The Neal Family, Bethel, NC. Funeral services entrusted to Don Brown Funeral Home, Ayden. Send online condolences to http://www.donbrownfuneralhome.com/.
Published in The Daily Reflector on April 22, 2010