James William Wooley died peacefully on June 12, 2016, at the age of 90, surrounded by his loving family.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Patsy Bevis Wooley and his sister, Alice Petter of Sarasota, Florida.

Mr. Wooley is survived by his daughter, Patricia Wooley Bell of Selma; son, James Thomson Wooley (Debbie) of Mountain Brook; grandchildren, Heather Morgan Howell (John) of Dothan, William Whitt Bell (Cindy) of Belleville, Illinois, Bonnie Bell Hobbs (Hugh) of Marion Junction, James Thomson Wooley Jr. and Jake Cooper Wooley of Mountain Brook; great-grandchildren, Mary Morgan Howell, Palmer Elizabeth Howell, Catherine McGowan Howell of Dothan, Madeline Grace Bell, Ella Bae Bell of Belleville, Illinois, and Hugh Sellers Hobbs of Marion Junction.

Mr. Wooley was born August 20, 1925, in Irvington, New Jersey, to James Thomson Wooley and Hazel Falk Wooley. He was an Army veteran of World War II and saw combat in New Guinea and The Philippine Islands. He also served as an MP during the post war occupation of Korea. Upon his return from service, he attended Panzer College in East Orange, New Jersey.

In 1947 he began a professional baseball career with the Alexander City Millers, a farm team of the Detroit Tigers.

He was a starting outfielder for three years with the team.

In 1957 he and his family moved to Selma. There, he was a long time member of New Covenant Presbyterian Church, formerly Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church.

Graveside services will be Tuesday, June 14 at 10 a.m. in New Live Oak Cemetery with Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing and Dr, Cecil Williamson officiating. The family will visit with friends at the graveside beginning at 9:30 a.m.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Park Chittom II and LaGrande Lee for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation be made to Wanna Be Rescued; P. O. Box 725 Selma, Alabama 36702 or one’s favorite charity.