Obituary of Thomas Oral Wisley

Thomas O. Wisley, 64, passed away April 4, 2016, at Hospice of Charleston in South Carolina. He was the eldest son of Oral and Wilma Wisley of Smithville, born on February 29, 1952. Tom was a graduate Smithville High School. After high school, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana State University, where he met his future wife, Debra Jones of Lawrence County, then obtained master’s and Ph.D. degrees in economics from Purdue University. Mr. Wisley dedicated nearly 30 years to teaching economics and statistics at the University of Missouri and Western Kentucky University. He was a dedicated WKU basketball supporter and developed a keen interest in horse racing. Tom is survived by his wife, Debra, of Mt. Pleasant, SC, his daughter Regan Allenspach, her husband Brian and their two children, all of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and his brother Daniel Wisley, his wife Nancy and their children, Jill DeBow and Kate Wisley, all of Indianapolis. No local memorial services are being planned. Memorial donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation at http://michaeljfox.org/get-involved/donation2.php?pg=tribute in order to help battle the disease Tom battled for many years and which ultimately took his life.