Wiley Wayne Sheets, born December 30, 1952, to the late Charles Wiley Sheets and Nettie (Farrah)Sheets of Wilmar, who preceded him in death. Two brothers also preceded him in death, Charles Edward Sheets, Tommy Clint Sheets, and nephew Kedrick (Ked) Trotter.
Wayne graduated from Wilmar High in 1971 and continued his education at the University of Arkansas-Monticello with a bachelor's degree. He began his professional career with the U.S. Army where he deployed four times (Desert Storm, Honduras-2, Kuwait). He served 28 years of total service. Over the span of his professional career, one of his most cherished memories was giving back to his community by returning to his alma mater to serve as a teacher, mentor, coach, and bus driver. One of his lifelong dreams was to drive heavy-wheel vehicles across the United States until his final retirement in 2023.
In the final years of his life, he reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Mary K. Ellis. They were united in holy matrimony on August 2, 2019. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle. Wayne was a proud Army veteran who loved his family and had many hobbies such as sports and especially GRILLING.
He leaves to cherish his memories of his loving and dedicated wife Mary K. Sheets of Warren. His nine children, ToMeka Johnson-Nunn of Washington, D.C., Nikia (Karlos) Sheets-James of Fort Worth, Texas, Felicia (Brandon) Sheets-Fails of Detroit, Mich., Nolan Sheets of Alma, Talayia (Greg)Johnson of Benton, Marcus Phillips of Warren, Karen (Derrick) Phillips-Jones of Jonesboro, Torey (Janelle) Phillips of Jackson, Miss., and Damien (La'Mia) Clark, Detroit, Mich.; 23 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by six siblings, Alberta (Donald) Flentroy of Crossett, Cal (Linda) Sheets, Otha Lou Sheets, Laura Sheets, Katie (Kenneth) Trotter, Nanette (Graylin) Wilson all from Wilmar, Debbie (Johnny) Dukes of Indianapolis, Ind., Brenda Edwards of Dalton, Ill., Gregory (Veronica) Ellis, Dwight (Gayle) Ellis all from Warren, and a host of nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends. Let us not forget his loving pets, Bo and Duke.
Home going celebrations was held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 11 a.m. in the Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel. Burial will followed in Wilmar at Turner Hill Cemetery.
