Michael W. Wiley died at his home in Rigolette, La., on Nov. 17, 2003. Family and friends surrounded Mike as he completed his struggle to outlive ALS. As in life, he slipped into death with courage, humor and unconditional love.

A member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church, Mike served as a Sunday school teacher, EYC sponsor and acolyte trainer, and was a member of the Search Committee and the Vestry.

For many years, Mike worked tirelessly for the Attakapas Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He served as den leader and committee member for Pack 8. As a boy, he was a scout in Troop 8 in Pineville. As an adult, he returned to serve as scoutmaster for Troop 8 for 13 years. While working in Attakapas Council, he also served as merit badge counselor at summer, winter, and Webelos camps and as waterfront director at Camp Attakapas. He attended national Jamboree in 1964 and again in 1998 with his son's troop. As a volunteer, he earned his Boy Scout Wood Badge beads, and was honored with the St. George Religious Award and Exploring's William H. Spurgeon Award. He was also awarded the Silver Beaver Award, the highest honor a Boy Scout volunteer can receive.

Mike served on the board of directors for the Renaissance Home for Youth, the Boys and Girls Club, CASA, Louisiana Juvenile Officers' Association, Louisiana Alliance to Prevent Underage Drinking, Louisiana Youth Violence Task Force and as a facilitator for the MDA/ALS support group.

Mike graduated from Pineville High School and pursued a degree in sociology at Louisiana Polytechnic Institute. He was a member of the first graduating DARE class in Louisiana and served as a DARE officer for four years. He was also a Louisiana Community Policing Instructor. He was nominated for the Blue Cross Angel Award and served with the Blue Cross Children First panel. In 1999, the city of Pineville honored him with "Mike Wiley Day."

In 2001, the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office honored Mike as the Deputy of the Year with the Jim Normand Award. In 2002, the Louisiana Juvenile Officers' Association chose him as the Juvenile Officer of the Year and honored him by naming their scholarship program for him. The same year, the Renaissance Home for Youth presented him with the first-ever Dr. Glenn E. Bryant Renaissance Service to Youth Award.

Mike loved his job as chief juvenile detective for the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office. His dedication and determination to improve the quality of life for young people were driving forces in his life. He worked with youth through his church, his job, and Boy Scouts. But his greatest love was his family.

Mike was born to Haywood and Merle Colson Wiley in Alexandria, La., on March 8, 1948. He was the first grandchild of Cliff and Eula Mae Duckworth Colson and Perry and Jenny LaPrairie Wiley. His father and stepmother, Haywood and Gloria Wiley of Minden, and his sister, Laura W. Dear of Gardner, have known him the longest and will miss his precious smile. Three stepbrothers, Joseph, George and Jack Welch of Minden will miss their "big brother." Mike was preceded in death by his mother, grandparents, and his nephew, Jason Dear.

Mike was best friends with Molly Conn since they first met in 1965. He asked her to marry him in 1966 and again in 1980, when she finally said "yes." Friday is their 22nd anniversary. Their children are Todd Fuller and his wife, Courtney, of Pineville; Mason Wiley and his wife, Debbie, of Hot Springs, Ark.; Reese Fuller and his wife, Heather, of Lafayette; Melissa W. Bergeron and her husband, Tommy, of New Orleans; Jennifer F. Painter and her husband, Aaron, of Nashville, Tenn.; and Meghan M. Wiley and Michael P. Wiley of Pineville. Grandsons Chad, Nick, Dylan and Connor and granddaughters Sara, Hadley, Samantha, and Sadie will miss his silly jokes and wild rides down "Yee-Haw Hill."

Mike's life for the past three years had been a challenge. He never complained or lost his love of life, his positive attitude or his faith in God. He continued to inspire others even when he lost his voice and his mobility. Services for Christian burial for Mike will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Pineville, with Fathers George Gennuso and Jesus Huertas officiating, assisted by deacon Don Leger and Fr. Joseph Bordelon. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Hixson Brother's Funeral Home. Officers of the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office will serve as honor guard. Pallbearers will be Det. Harold Bowden, Det. Dwayne Brevelle, Det. Jeff Brister, Det. Dennis Little, Det. Keith Perkins, Cpl. Brian Phillips, Det. Steven Reed, Capt. Bobby Sandoval, Det. Mike Stephan, Det. Bill Whittenberg,and Det. Buddy Willis. Honorary pallbearers are his brothers-in-law Steve Conn and Linn Dear.

On Wednesday, Nov. 19, the family will receive friends at Hixson Brother's in Pineville from 11 a.m. until shortly before the wake services. A Christian wake, celebrating Mike's life and accomplishments, will be held at St. Michael's parish hall at 7 p.m. On Thursday, Nov. 20, friends may call at the church from 8 a.m. until the time of services.

Mike supported many causes. Those who wish to, may contribute to their favorite charity in his name or one of the many he supported, like the EYC Camp Fund at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 500 Edgewood Drive, Pineville, La., 71360. You may also support efforts and research to eradicate Lou Gehrig's disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), the reason why Mike was taken from us so soon.

There are so many of us who mourn his loss, but know that he is now strolling the streets of Heaven, swapping jokes with family and friends.