Guilford M. Wiley was born on July 10, 1880, in Whiteland, Indiana. He studied at Franklin College in Indiana, Indiana University, and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He was principal of Central High School in La Crosse, Wisconsin, from 1921-1926, and then served as superintendent of the La Crosse schools until 1942.
Wiley served his community in other ways as well. He was president of the La Crosse Kiwanis Club, member of the board of directors of the La Crosse YMCA, and president and secretary of the Western Wisconsin Teachers Association. He also served as field secretary for the National Council of Presbyterian Men.
Wiley became involved in politics and served from 1946-1950 in the Wisconsin State Legislature as Republican member of the Assembly from Trempealeau County. In 1952, he was an unsuccessful candidate for lieutenant governor. Wiley passed away in 1955.
