Wiley Fortson was born in Madras, OR and raised on the Confederate Tribes of Warm Springs reservation in OR. He became interested in rodeo while involved with 4H and other western lifestyle activities and competed in in high school in TR. He was a highly regarded show cattle handler and was recruited by several large ranches to show Red Angus, horned Hereford, and Simbra cattle in state fairs, in OR, TX and CA.
With a desire to see more of the world, he enlisted in the USN in 1987. After basic training in San Diego, he attended Corpsman School at the Navy Hospital San Diego. Advanced training was at Camp Pendleton MCB at the Fleet Marine Force Service School. After an intense medical training regimen, he was assigned to Camp Hanson in Okinawa Japan where he discovered military rodeo and joined the Okinawa Rodeo Team in 1989. He would go on to have success at military rodeos at Beale AFB, Camp Pendleton, CA and qualified for the first MRCA World Finals in San Antonio, TX. He would continue his TR career in 1991 with successful trips to San Louis Obispo, Lawton, OK, Barstow, CA and another qualification to the MRCA World Finals in Palm Springs, CA. 1992 was his most successful year in military rodeo as he captured the World Championship in TR while also serving on the MRCA Contestant Board of Directors.
Wiley would become the official medic for all MRCA rodeos during 1993 and provided onsite first aid to all military contestants. In 1994 he partnered with future HOF member Wayne Boney to produce barrel racings, rodeo schools, and military rodeos in northern CA for the next 5 years.
He would continue his 20-year military career with many assignments in the active reserves for the USAF, Navy and Army National Guard. Wiley would continue his medical career with the Veterans Administration and retired after 20 years of service.
Military Rodeo Cowboy Association World Championships – 1 (TR 1992)
Born: 1964 in Madras, OR
