Obituaries
Wiley Winton “Jack” Greer
March 09, 2020
Wiley Winton “Jack” Greer passed away on March 9, 2020 at Willow Valley, in Willow Street, PA where he lived with the love of his life, JoAnn (Thompson) Greer, his wife of 69 years.
Born in Churchville, MD, Jack was the son of the late Grover Cleveland and Annie Ethel (Osborne) Greer. The 9th of their 13 children, he is survived by two brothers, Nicholas Greer of Willow Street, PA and Robert Greer of Durham, NC.
A native of Bel Air, Maryland, Jack graduated from St. Albans School, in Washington, DC, and attended Lafayette College prior to earning a fleet appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. He graduated from the Navy with the Class of 1950, a member of the 15th Company.
Upon graduation, and while serving at the Academy, he entered flight training first at Pensacola, Florida and then at Corpus Christi, Texas, earning his Navy wings in 1952. After additional pilot training in Kingsville, Texas and Corpus Christi, Jack joined VF-61 at NAS Oceana, also known as the “Jolly Rogers,” flying several of the early jet fighters. Deployments included carriers Midway and Lake Champlain. Jack resigned from Navy active duty in 1956 to join the DuPont Company where, following assignments in Research, Technical and Sales Service, he joined the White Pigments management group in Wilmington, DE, as Industry Manager – Coatings Worldwide. He was honored with the NPCA Industry Statesman Award for his contributions to the industry when he retired from DuPont in 1989.
He was active in local communities, including Indian Guides, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Rotary, Masons and the Greater Hockessin Area Development Association, in addition to many business associations. Inspired by his beloved grandchildren, after retiring, he co-founded a wooden toy business called “Peg-EM”. Jack and JoAnn moved to Willow Street, PA in 2004 after 29 years in Hockessin, DE.
Jack loved boating and was an avid golfer who achieved not one, but two holes in one. He had a keen eye for thoroughbreds, enjoyed racing and owned interests in several racehorses. He was a dependable and good friend to many, and above all, was devoted to his family.
He is survived by his wife, JoAnn, daughters Luiann (Lee) Dellon, Baltimore, MD and Nita Greer, West Grove, PA, and son Zachary Greer, Steamboat Springs, CO; grandchildren Justin (Amy) Sussman, Wellesley, MA, Lauren Karpinski, Wilmington, DE, and Kelli (Alec) Jarvis, New York, NY, and five great grandchildren, Jack, Will, Henry, Max and Olivia.
Jack will ultimately be laid to rest with military honors at Bel Air Memorial Gardens in Bel Air, Maryland. Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the memorial service and interment have been postponed. Friends and family will be invited to join together in celebration of his life once a date has been determined. The family requests that those wishing to make a contribution in Jack’s memory to please consider the American Heart Association.
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Condolences to the Family
August 15, 2023
August 15, 2023
It was with great melancholy that I just stumbled upon the notice for Wiley Greer – old Lafayette chum of my late father, Percival S. Hill, III (“Perce”). It has been 50 years or more since our families visited, but the memories came flooding back! First of all, how do you forget an old family friend named Wiley? My dad was Lafayette ’47 – and we would howl at Dad’s recounting the adventures he and Wiley had during their Lafayette days. I am reminded of one college adventure where Wiley took my dad to meet Cape Cod, the thoroughbred racehorse owned by Wiley’s dad Grover. “Meanest thing ever, that Cape Cod” my dad had said. [Sure enough, I later found Grover’s Cape Cod in the registry, giving credence to the stories Dad had told us.] This is all even more amusing as little did Dad know that I would later come to have Thoroughbreds and several on the track as well…but I digress. I would have loved to ask Wiley about his racehorses! Later on, when both Wiley and my dad were young marrieds, I remember a visit to the Greers where we had the most amazing spaghetti dinner. I don’t know if daughter Luiann will remember me, but I seem to recall a wonderful expanse behind the house where we played when my parents made the trek to Delaware. (I was Perce Hill’s daughter with the curly red hair.) Time and raising families separated Dad and Wiley, but Dad always remembered him fondly. The “Uncle Wiley” I remember was a handsome, charming, wonderful guy. After I lost Dad in 2008, at age 83, I thought it a good idea to reach out and reconnect with his old friends – but as fate would have it, life got in the way and so I now find I am 3 years too late to call and wish Wiley a fond hello. Seeing that handsome picture of Wiley is what I remember, as he and JoAnn Greer were quite a lovely couple. With great affection, I want to extend my belated condolences to the Greer family. Wiley holds a special place in our collective Hill family memories. Please know that while many years have passed, the legendary Wiley Greer has never been forgotten! I would love to know that Wiley’s clan is happy and well. The warmest of blessings to you all.
Patricia Hill Herron – formerly of Nutley, NJ now in Florida
Daughter of Percival S. Hill, III (Lafayette ’47)
finish_linefarm@yahoo.com
April 05, 2020
I am sending my condolences to you. My late husband, Bob and myself were original investors in QVIC which Jack and John ran for several years. I have fond memories of you, Joanne, and Jack running the meetings for their investors. Many memories from those days in Wilmington.
Philippa Lammey
April 05, 2020
I’m so sorry for your loss my prayers go out to the family. I will keep you in my prayers and may God bless you each and every day. Jack was a wonderful person I missed seeing you.
Cheryl George
April 02, 2020
Dear JoAnn and family,
I worked with Wiley for many years in DuPont before he retired. He was an early mentor to me and always a friend, one of the kindest, most patient people I have known. We last saw Wiley and JoAnn when we met for lunch at the Farmhouse too many years ago.
Please accept our deepest condolences in this difficult time.
Sam and Alice Severance
