Wyllie, James 'Jim' E.

James “Jim” E. Wyllie, 82, of Iowa City, died Tuesday, June 12, 2012, at his home. Graveside services, with military honors, will be held 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 16, at Memory Gardens in Iowa City. A time of visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City.

James Edward Wyllie was born May 27, 1930, in Harlan, Iowa, son of James F. and Esther (Donath) Wyllie. He graduated from high school in Sigourney, Iowa and shorty after joined the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War. A few years after returning home, he married Bonnie Rogers on Jan. 30, 1957, in Kirksville, Mo. They spent some time in Cedar Rapids, Mount Vernon and eventually would end up in Iowa City, where they've resided since 1979.

Jim was an incredibly hard worker, possibly the definition of a “work-a-holic.” In his younger years, he worked two full time jobs for 10 years, working for the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) as an inspector and then at Swift in Cedar Rapids. While with the DOT, Jim was involved with many large scale jobs, including the I-380 resurfacing project as well as numerous bridge projects, including one over the Mississippi River.

In retirement he maintained his work ethic and could always be found working on something around the house, quite often outside; he always enjoyed his time working on the yard or gardens.

His family includes his wife, Bonnie; daughter, Janet Wyllie; brothers, Don Wyllie of Marshalltown and John (Diane) Wyllie of Phoenix, Ariz.; sister, Josephine (James) Williams of Delta, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; stillborn daughter, Jennifer Sue; sister, Esther Taylor; and brother, Ted Wyllie.

Memorials in Jim's name can be made to the American Heart Association.

Online condolences may be sent to his family through the web at www.gayandciha.com.

Published June 14, 2012 in The Gazette