Lewis S. Wiley, a widely-respected horseman and cattle farmer and long-time Fauquier County resident, passed away peacefully at his family’s home, Gordonsdale Farm in The Plains, Virginia, on Sunday, August 11, 2024. He was 86. Born in Salem, Virginia, on June 30, 1938 to James Langhorne Wiley and Camille Dawson Wiley Sullivan, Lewis attended North Cross School with the very first class of students. He briefly attended Andrew Lewis High School prior to his four years at The Hill School in Pottstown, PA where he thrived – playing football, wrestling and running track. He graduated Hill in 1957. He attributed his years at Hill as instrumental in shaping him into the man he would become. He went on to graduate from The University of Virginia in 1962 where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Fraternity and a member of the Ribbon Society— Eli Banana. Gordonsdale, a Thoroughbred horse farm where his father and stepmother, Molly, settled in 1965, became Lewis’s home for more than 50 years. In 1966, he and his first wife, Helen Calvert Wiley, married and raised their two daughters at the farm. A second marriage to Carol Pierson followed. Lewis spent many mornings at the Middleburg Training Center watching and training horses and the facility provided some of his favorite memories. He also was a fixture at the local steeplechase races – as an owner, trainer, steward, and a spectator – one of the few events that could get him to leave his beloved leather chair. He was on the board of Marshall National Bank and was Vice Chairman of Oak View Bank. Lewis was heavily involved with the Middleburg Spring Race Association since the early 1970s. His love of bird hunting with friends was one of his favorite pastimes. Whether it was shooting skeet, dove in a corn field, ducks at the marsh, pheasant in South Dakota or quail in Georgia – next to horses, that’s where he was happiest. Lewis also loved watching a good John Wayne western as well as a musical, particularly his favorite, “Guys & Dolls.” Monday nights were reserved for watching his much loved train program on TV with friends. Lewis knew how to have fun and was known for his sense of humor, kindness, quiet generosity and support of local organizations. He also was a loyal friend. One of his closest friends was the late Sandy Young; they traveled to the yearling horse sales at Saratoga Springs, NY, to the Potomac River at Coles Point, VA and to the marshes of Port Micou near Loretto, VA. They were known to “work hard, and play harder” and coined the phrase “Come on Weekend!” Lewis took care of his friends and the people closest to him he saw every day at the farm. He was grateful to them and did not take their loyalty for granted. His family offers many thanks to his nurses, caregivers and to Jean Rofe for their help, support and love. He is survived by his daughters Elizabeth Wiley of The Plains, VA and Sheila Wiley Harrell (Martin) of The Plains, VA, grandchildren Molly Clayton Harrell and William Buchanan Harrell of The Plains, VA and stepbrother Lewis B. Pollard of Warrenton, VA. He was predeceased by his parents, his stepmother Mary LF Wiley, his brother James L. Wiley, stepsister Karen Dudley Vaughn, half-sister Langhorne Wiley Canning and stepbrother Nelson Pollard. The family will have a private burial with a celebration of life at a date to be determined. Memorial donations can be made to The Fauquier SPCA (www.fauquierspca.com), your local hospice, or The Salem Museum (www.salemmuseum.org). Arrangements by Royston Funeral Home, Middleburg, VA. Please visit www.roystonfh.com to express online condolences to the family.
