1914 – 2000

Married: Annie Bernard and Hazel Allen Ward

3 Stepchildren, 11 Grandchildren, 6 Great-Grandchildren, 3 Great-Great Grandchildren

Wiley T. Bernard was reared in Covington, TN. He graduated from Tennessee A&I State College in 1940 with a BS degree in Agriculture. In 1959 he earned a MS degree in Poultry Science.

He served as a County Agriculture Extension Agent in Wilson County from 1946 until his retirement in 1979. He was the second African American Agriculture Extension Agent in "Negro Work" to serve in the county. Mr. Bernard is remembered by so many for his enthusiasm and ingenuity. Although resources were limited, he always found ways to finance 4-H Club and Future Farmer activities.

He even arranged for parents to accompany students so that they too could learn about agriculture and family living programs. He organized eighteen community clubs and each club was given the mission to improve their homes and farms. The USDA recognized his many accomplishments by awarding him the Distinguished Service Award in 1959. Mr. Bernard was inducted into the Tennessee State University Hall of Fame in 1998