Amarillo WWII veteran celebrates 100th birthday with family, fellow veterans and 1,500 cards

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - World War II Army veteran Wiley Tow celebrated his 100th birthday Friday at Ussery Roan Texas State Veterans Home.

Family, friends, staff and fellow veterans gathered to celebrate Wiley.

Ahead of his birthday, Wiley asked for 100 birthday cards as part of the Texas Veterans Land Board’s 100 for 100 program.

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham encouraged people in Amarillo and across the state to send Wiley a card for his 100th birthday.

The response went far beyond his request. Wiley received more than 1,500 birthday cards.

Wiley has four children and several grandchildren who shared memories of his military service, faith and the lessons he taught them.

Wiley’s son, Richard “Bobby” Tow, says his dad grew up around a garage and became a skilled mechanic by the time he was 16. He joined the Army at 18 and used those skills during World War II, eventually becoming a technical sergeant.

“I really appreciate him equipping us to deal with the difficulties of life and not raising us in a little bubble,” said Richard. “He equipped us to deal with challenges.”

Wiley continued working as a mechanic after leaving the military.

One of his grandsons, Dustin Tow, remembers spending time in Wiley’s shop as a child, sorting nuts, bolts and washers as his grandfather worked on vehicles.

“I thought about that today when they were talking about his service being in the military as a mechanic,” said Dustin. “I remember doing that in his shop with him.”

Wiley’s other grandson, Wes Tow, says he remembers going on road trips to Colorado with his grandmother and grandad and working alongside them.

His children say he taught them to work hard and face challenges.

“He taught us to take on life with a vigor and to take on the battles of life,” said Richard.

His daughter, Victoria Mitchell, says her father prepared them for life and encouraged them to be brave.

“One thing that I’m taking away from this is let’s just go ahead and be risk takers and do the things that we dream of and we want to do,” said Mitchell. “Don’t be fearful in your life.”

Wiley’s children say faith remained important throughout his life. His daughter remembers her parents using Sundays to visit people who were sick.

“Faith in my life, that’s the most important. And then a work ethic. And then just loving people,” said Mitchell. “That example of godliness, and just getting in there and loving people and helping them when they need it the most.

His grandsons say seeing other veterans celebrate their grandfather was meaningful to the family.

“To see the care and camaraderie that they share, even though they didn’t know each other before, they still have that unity and that tightness as a bond between them,” said Dustin.

His grandsons also shared one of the lighter parts of his daily routine. They say he is allowed up to four Coors beers a day.

At 100 years old, Wiley’s children and grandchildren say the lessons he taught them about faith, work, family and helping others continue to shape their lives.

“God has a way of putting blessings and judgment on everything that we do, so be sure you’re pleasing God and Jesus when you’re going to do it,” said Wiley. “Heaven, you want to do it, whatever you have to do, and you will get somewhere with it.”