Wiley Preston Durden

Wiley Preston Durden, 80, of Albany, GA, passed away Friday, August 30, 2024 at his home. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 11:00am at Frist Free Will Baptist Church in Albany. Rev. David Postlewaite will officiate. Interment will occur on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 11:00a.m. in Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Aline, GA.

Born September 28, 1943 in Candler County, GA to Wiley and Williene Durden, he graduated from Metter High School in 1961. He then attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College before transferring to the University of Georgia where he graduated in 1965.

He and his wife Mary Sue Durden were married on December 25, 1963, but because he was still in school at UGA, he had to return to the dorm the next day to finish the quarter while she moved into his parents’ house. Over their 60-year marriage they were blessed with 3 children, 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He and Mary Sue moved to Albany in 1967 and have been faithful members of the First Free Will Baptist Church since 1968 where he has served in numerous areas over the years including Deacon Chairman and more importantly, taking over as "Candy Man" from Bob Glover. They were also members of the Knighton Sunday School Class.

Known as Wiley, and Papa, he was also known as Uncle Wiley to many who still consider him like a second father. Wiley was a blessing to everyone he met, and most often, these blessings came from the lush garden he cultivated from year to year. Always wanting to be a farmer, he felt he would not be able to provide for his family as such, so he sought out a career selling herbicides in the agriculture industry where he worked until retirement in the early 2000's. This gave him the opportunity to do what he loved in his free time. Whether it was Eggs, Peaches, Blueberries, Corn, Butterbeans, Peas, and Squash, all was grown with exceptional love and care, and you will not find anything better.

Wiley also loved animals, and first and foremost were chickens and cows. Especially, after retirement, he would spend his mornings "talking" to his chickens. Later, he began raising cows with his Brother-in-law, Jerry Franklin. Though technically a business venture, everyone knew they were all really just his "pets" many of which would come up to lick his hand.

Additionally, Wiley loved westerns and old country music, and he was known to dance a mean jitter-bug to 50's music. He paid for cable television solely to be able to watch the Westerns channel which was the only thing ever on His television unless the University of Georgia football was on TV.

Mr. Durden was preceded in death by his wife Mary Sue Durden, a grandson, Marc Durden and a nephew, Alexander Preston Franklin.

Survivors include his children, W. Kirk Durden and wife, Tonda (Keystone Heights, FL), Kimberly Murphy and husband, Michael (Albany, GA), and Kathy Thomas and husband, Justin (Alma, GA); grandchildren, David Durden (Melissa Wertheimer), Daniel Durden (Sharee Kaisharis), Matthew Durden, Mary Ann Bruner (Bryan), Mason Murphy (Ashlyn), Cadence Thomas, Coleman Thomas, Nash Thomas and Preston Thomas; and great-grandchildren, Brooke Bruner, Blayke Bruner, Bentleigh Bruner, Braelynn Bruner, Mina Joan Kiasharis-Durden, Hazel Shira Joy Wertheimer, Wiley Murphy, and Evelyn Murphy; sister, Ida Sue Franklin and husband Jerry (Farmington, CT) and a niece Jenn Lamoureux and husband Steve (Farmington, CT).

The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at First Free Will Baptist Church.