Wiley Miller Crittenden, Jr.

Mr. Wiley Miller Crittenden, Jr., husband of Ann Arnold Crittenden, died at home on March 12, 2010.A Graveside Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, March 17 at 12:30pm at Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery in Rayle, Georgia.The Reverend Jim Newsome will officiate.Wiley was born in Sycamore, Georgia on June 3, 1932.He was the son of Wiley Miller Crittenden, Sr. And Willa Giles Crittenden.He graduated from Marietta High School in Marietta, Georgia in 1949 and served in the United States Army in Korea from 1952 through 1954. Wiley attended the University of Georgia where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order.After graduation in 1956, he worked ten years for the Chemical Sales Division of 3M Corporation.During his travels, he became aware of the growing elderly population and the need for facilities to care for them.He opened his first long-term care facility in 1966 in Greenville, South Carolina and established three more in neighboring communities over the next few years.Working through state and national health care associations, he became a strong advocate for the elderly.In the late 1970’s, he was president of the American Health Care Association and served two years as chairman of the association’s foundation.It was during this time that Wiley and Ann visited in the Oval Office with three different presidents. After selling their facilities in 1986, the Crittendens moved to the farm in Wilkes County, Georgia where Ann grew up.They enjoyed a new career growing ornamental shrubbery and trees that were sold throughout the Southeast.Wiley recognized the importance of Wills Memorial Hospital to his community and strongly supported all efforts to preserve and improve it.He also served as chairman of the Hospital Foundation. In addition to Ann, his wife of over 52 years, Mr. Crittenden is survived by his daughters, Catherine Maenza (Drew) and Nancy Heiney (Douglas), his sons, Wiley Miller Crittenden, III (Jennifer) and Lewis Maxwell Crittenden (Suzanne), his grandchildren, Brycen, Walker, and Cole Maenza, Kyle and Sarah Heiney, Anna, Sims, Wiley IV and Lewis Crittenden, Jr, his sister, Jean Crittenden Morris (Rex), brother Robert (Julia) and several beloved nephews and nieces.He was predeceased by his precious granddaughter, Claire Giles Crittenden, and beloved sister-in-law, Francis Arnold Harvey (Aunt Sug). In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Claire Giles Crittenden Foundation, 2605 Highway 153, Piedmont, SC 29673 or the Wills Memorial Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 370 Washington, GA. 30673.