Smiley, born of humble beginnings in Chesnee, South Carolina, on April 17, 1928. He lived on a farm with his parents, LeRoy and Inez Wilkins, and sister Helen. As a young boy, he got up early and worked the farm with his horse and then rode it several miles to school.

Smiley always strived to better himself, and the most important factor he discovered to improve himself was education. When the time came for high school, he had to leave home and journeyed 60 miles to a school where black children could continue their education. He worked hard on his courses and had a job to make ends meet.

After graduating from high school, Smiley was awarded a full football scholarship with Coach "Big House" Gaines to Winston Salem State University in North Carolina. While student teaching in Winston Salem, he met a beautiful, soft-spoken young lady named Nannie E. Browning.

On May 8, 1951, Smiley and Nannie married, and Smiley enlisted in the United States Air Force shortly thereafter. They proceeded to have three children, Gwendolyn, Smiley, Jr., and Marcus.

Smiley passed away in Santa Maria, California, on Monday, September 10, 2007, at Marian Medical Center.

Smiley is survived by his wife of 56 years, Nannie; his daughter Gwendolyn Talifero and sons Smiley, Jr., and Marcus; three grandchildren, Snowshadow Talifero and Rebecca and Cassandra Wilkins; one great granddaughter, Tara Talifero; four nieces and four nephews.

Smiley was preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy and Inez Wilkins, his sister, Helen Copeland-Norman, and grandson Jade Forest Talifero.

The visitation will be on Friday, September 14, 2007, from 4-8 pm at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary. The funeral service will be on Saturday, September 15, 2007, at 11 am at chapel #1, at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Reverend Don French of the Valley of the Flowers United Church of Christ will preside, assisted by Reverend Chuck Arnold.

In Lieu of Flowers, charitable donations may be made to the Smiley E. Wilkins Scholarship Memorial Fund, 712 Mercury Avenue, Lompoc, CA 93436.