ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — When Jerry Rezek and Mickey Wiley happened upon each other in Seoul, Korea in 1963 while both were serving in the Army, they had no idea they would later become brother-in-laws and live close to each other.

And neither one was aware of the fact they were going to receive the “Chamber Volunteer of the Year” (Rezek) or “Community Volunteer of the Year” (Wiley) at the Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Banquet on January 20th.

“I had no inkling I was going to get it. I guess someone thought I was doing something good. I had already gotten other awards in the past and was totally shocked when my name was called. I only thought I was there to support Jerry,” said Wiley.

“I was the same way. I had no idea I was going to get anything either. I only thought I was there to support Mickey. It was a total shock. I guess someone nominated me too,” Rezek said laughing.

Both men were awarded for their service and dedication to the chamber and the community, and as Tommy Herndon said at the banquet, “They serve because they want to and volunteer their time, not because they have to.”

Rezek, born in Silverhill in 1941 and Wiley, born in Birmingham in 1937, both graduated from Robertsdale High School, (Rezek in 1958 as Salutatorian and Wiley in 1956) and attended Auburn University, where they remained friends until graduation.

Rezek received a B.S. in Accounting in 1962, graduating in the top 10 of his class and getting commissioned as a Second Lieutenant by being a member of the Army ROTC. He served two years, with part of that time being in Korea. He also got a M.B.A. from Wavier University in Cincinnati in 1976.

Wiley also graduated in 1962 with a B.S. in Industrial Management but was drafted into the Army and served for two years, also with about a year in Korea.

Rezek describes their meeting in Seoul a welcome surprise. “I was on leave and went down to have some down time and stopped in a place. I couldn’t believe it when I looked up and saw Mickey. It was so nice to see someone from home and be able to catch up. We spoke and then I went on my way. I never expected to see him again.”

However, when Wiley met Elaine, Jerry’s sister, and they married in 1974, the duo was reunited once again, this time as in-laws.

When both got out of the service, they went on to pursue different careers, Rezek working as an accountant for American Can Company in Wisconsin, Oregon, Alabama and Kentucky, and Wiley in Decatur and Mobile with mentally challenged adults and then for Baldwin EMC as a field engineer and working in member services. He retired from EMC in 2000.

Wiley was also part of the Army Reserves for 14 years and traveled to several third-world countries. “I went to Honduras and Ecuador in the early 1990’s and it was 117 degrees during the day and in the 90’s at night. It certainly makes you appreciate what you have in the states.”

And it wasn’t until Rezek’s wife of 40 years, Sandra, passed on and Rezek retired in 2007 and moved back to Silverhill, that he became involved in the chamber with Wiley.

“Both Mickey and Mary (deLauney) got me involved and I have been an ambassador for three years. I do enjoy it going to the meet and greets and other events . I don’t help much with the planning though,” Rezek said.

As for Wiley, besides being a past Chamber board member, he has also has been a charter member and past president of the Robertsdale Optimist Club since 1976 and member and president in 1988-89 of the Robertsdale Rotary Club. He also is a board member of the Association for Retarded Citizens and an active member of Robertsdale United Methodist Church and their men’s club. Wiley and Elaine have three children and six grandchildren.

Rezek and Wiley both enjoy golfing a few times a week and spending time with friends and family as well. “I play pretty fair for a 70 year old and it’s all for fun. Sometimes we have 20 of us and sometimes 80, just depends on the day, “ Rezek said.