1947 – 2003

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Timothy James Wiles, 55, of Bloomington, Ind., died on July 17, in Bloomington. He was an associate professor of English at Indiana University.

He was born in Norway, Oct. 11, 1947, to James and Ruth Wiles. He attended Oxford Hills High School and graduated from Gould Academy in Bethel. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Antioch College and a doctorate in English from Stanford University.

He joined the IU English and Comparative Literature Faculty in 1973. At IU, Prof. Wiles taught drama and literature courses. During his 30 years of teaching at IU, Tim touched the lives of thousands of students. His passion for theater and dramatic literature was contagious and many of his students went on to professional careers in education and theater.

“Tim” also had an ability to counsel troubled students. He always made the time to talk with those who came to him seeking counsel and seemed to always find the right words to help them find the courage to overcome their troubles. At his memorial service in Bloomington on July 21, these words were spoken over and over by friends, colleagues and former students: “The world is a better place for Timothy Wiles having been in it.”

In 1976, he married Mary McGann. The arrival of their son, David Timothy Wiles in 1989 was the highlight of his life. He greatly enjoyed taking David snowboarding and skiing and spending summers with his family at their lakeside cabin in East Waterford that Mr. Wiles and his father built together.

In addition to his wife and son, he is survived by his mother, Ruth Wiles of Scarborough; his sister and brother-in-law, Kathryn and James Stevens of Scarborough; his brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Deborah Wiles of Norway; a nephew, Chancellor Peterson; and two nieces, Nicole Erickson and Catherine Rose Ripley.

He was predeceased by his father, James Wiles; and his brother, Tristam Wiles.