Anthony W. “Tony” Wise of Hermiston passed away in Richland, Wash. on Dec. 28, 2022 at the age of 65.
He was born on Nov. 17, 1957 in Rock Island, Ill. to Ronald and Cammie Dieterich Wise.
Tony moved with his family to Oregon when he was a young child. He grew up and attended his schools in Ukiah. After high school, he joined the U.S. Army, where he served as an artillery specialist and was stationed in Washington for several years. After his honorable discharge he moved to Hermiston, where he worked in various jobs for several years. In the early 1990s, Tony began his career with the Hermiston School District. He retired from the Hermiston School District in 2016.
Tony married Susan Yunker in 1975 and from this union two children, April and Randy, were born. The couple later divorced. He married Sandy Gilliland on Aug. 30, 1986 in Hermiston, and from this union three children were born, Marcus, Kayleigh and Saraya. The couple was married for 14 years. In 2007, Taylor Enders was welcomed into his heart and family as his sixth child.
Tony had a passion for basketball as a young kid that followed him into his adult life. He was a referee for youth basketball for several years. When his youngest daughter became old enough to play in HYBA, he began his journey in coaching. Over Tony’s career he coached several AAU teams and countless middle school boys’ and girls’ teams. He enjoyed being a part of all Hermiston High School athletics, whether it was coaching, running clocks for football and soccer games, or just attending games and supporting past players. He loved sharing his faith with his athletes through FCA. He was a member of Zeal Church, where he served as a deacon.
He is survived by daughters, Kayleigh (Patrick) Wise, Saraya (Anthony) Montez, Taylor (Mikayla) Enders and April Sullivan; mother, Cammie Grider; grandchildren, Nyah, Randy, Avery, Jameson and Nova; brothers, Jeffrey, David, Sky and Sage; sisters, Ronna, Tracy, Colleen, Melany and Autumn; and many extended family members.
Tony was preceded in death by his father, Ronald Wise; brother, Vincent Waddell; and sons, Randy and Marcus.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 14 at Zeal Church, with a reception to follow.
A private family burial will be in the Hermiston Cemetery.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please go to burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
