Fallen soldier laid to rest on South Coast

(AP Photo/Mike Derer)

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Story Published: Sep 28, 2008 at 11:47 PM PDT

By Tim Novotny

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NORTH BEND, ORE - Lt. Col. James Wiley was laid to rest following a funeral service at North Bend High School on Saturday. While questions remain about how he died, it is still under investigation, friends and family speaking at the ceremony left no doubt about how he lived.

A large crowd stood in solemn silence as bagpipes announced Jim Wiley Jr.'s final return to North Bend High School, from where he graduated in 1979.

Wiley died just a week shy of his 47th birthday, at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, where the Legal Officer was assigned to the 27th Brigade Combat Team, New York Army National Guard, out of Syracuse, NY.

It was said that he would tell his mother that while he was a good soldier, he did not consider himself a hero. He may not have, but those who spoke at the funeral service sure did consider him a hero.

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, after listening to those who knew him well, lamented not having had the chance to know him in life. Kulongoski also recounted tales of Wiley's selfless nature.

The service continued with more proof of the kind of "citizen soldier" Wiley was, including the presentation of the Bronze Star and other medals earned.

But, as loved ones and fellow soldiers were quick to point out, above all else, it was his love of family...love of his wife Teresa and his three daughters...that gave the truest measure of the man that they all had grown to love.

Following the service, a large procession of emergency vehicles and motorcycles, along with family and friends, wound their way through the Bay Area to take Wiley to his final resting place at the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Milling ton.

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