Wiley Miles Baldwin

Wiley Miles Baldwin, 85, of Waxhaw, NC, passed away peacefully Friday, December 16, 2016. He was born October 26, 1931, in Missoula, MT, to the late Otha L. Baldwin and Ethel Brunson DeWit Baldwin. Mr. Baldwin lived a life of adventure and travel. His life and nature would have made the twelve year old Wiley proud. At age fifteen, he signed up for his first job, working for the U.S. Forest Service. Hiking into the woods of Montana with all of his supplies for the summer; a job he held for several summers and required a minimum age of 18. This experience forged his way to the University of Montana to begin his studies in Forestry, which were put on hold when he volunteered to serve the country in the US Army during the Korean War (Feb 1951 - Feb 1954). The Army identified his intelligence and abilities quickly, stationing him in Alaska, where he worked with radio equipment and earned the National Defense Service Medal. During his college years, he and several friends read tales by Richard Halliburton igniting in them a desire to see the world. His friends backed out, but Mr. Baldwin saved and bought a car, with which he drove from Montana to the Mexican border, then through Central, and South America with a final stop in Cuba before returning to Montana. These adventures fueled many of the stories he shared with his children and grandchildren, always encouraging them to follow dreams, and to look at the world in a broader view. Following his years of service and with his new-found passion for electronics, Mr. Baldwin resumed educational studies, this time at Montana State, obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, and serving as an active member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Later, obtaining his Master of Science in Metallurgy, from Lehigh University and additional studies at Princeton University and Wake Forest University. Mr. Baldwin, as an Electrical Engineer, began his career with Western Electric, where he served for decades as the company changed names, Bell Labs, ATT and later, Lucent Technologies. Holding multiple patents with these organizations, Wiley decided to retire in 1989. Following his retirement, Wiley served as an Engineering Professor at Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NC, and UNC Charlotte, from 1990-2000. Students continued to call him for years after and even as recent as last year. Wiley Baldwin will always be remembered as a very kind gentleman who was loved by all who knew him. This love was due to his kind nature, always putting others before himself, even in his final days, making friends with doctors, nurses and others. Wiley lived the life that we all wish of ourselves. His patience, ability to listen, and feelings for others, made him easy to love. His positive outlook, ability to share his life stories, and genuine personality, made him welcome in any setting. In addition to his mother and father, Mr. Baldwin was preceded in death by his son, Garrett Wiley Baldwin; siblings, Eleanor Fialka, Marie Handley, Peter C. DeWit Jr., and George Baldwin; and step-father, Peter C. DeWit, Sr. He is survived by his lovely wife of 56 years, Julia Murray Baldwin; two daughters, Julia Baldwin Heffernan and husband, Brian, of Waxhaw, NC and Nancy Jane Baldwin Topf and husband, Tony, of Abingdon, MD; three grandchildren, Kathryn Heffernan, Cory Topf, and Hayden Topf; one great-grandson, Sean Heffernan; sister, Johanna Wohl and husband, Glen, of Missoula, MT; sister-in-law, Carol DeWit of Missoula, MT; and many wonderful nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, December 21, 2016, in the Gordon Funeral Chapel, 1904 Lancaster Avenue, Monroe, NC 28112. Memorials may be made to Novant Health-Hospice, P.O. Box 33549, Charlotte, NC 28233-3549. Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com.