Wiley R. Bunton, 83, of San Angelo passed away on Friday, February 3, 2023 with his wife by his side.
Celebration of life services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, February 11, 2023 at St. John's Episcopal Church in Sonora with Rev. Susan Burnham, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home.
Mr. Bunton was born on July 5, 1939 in Del Rio to Samuel and Mildred Walker Bunton. Wiley graduated from Texas A & M University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1961 and a Master of Science degree in 1963. He worked for 21 years at the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, California on the Deep Space Program. Wiley was involved in the Lunar landing, Mars Landing, Voyager II. He also helped develop a lightweight synthetic material to aid in landing and takeoff on the Lunar Expedition. Today, that material is known as Mylar. After NASA Wiley worked for Raytheon Technologies for eight years before retiring. During his retirement he became a certified financial planner.
He married Esther Bird on August 28, 1978. He and Esther loved being at their ranch in Eldorado, sitting on the porch, watching sunsets, sunrises, livestock, and wildlife. Wiley enjoyed playing duplicate bridge, bird watching, collecting gems and minerals, enjoyed good food and fine wine, snow skied, and traveled.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Esther Bird Bunton.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to West Texas Rehab Hospice of San Angelo, 1933 University Ave., San Angelo, TX 76904 or your favorite charity.