Russell Lee Wiley was born on 27 November 1903 near Victor, Erath County, Texas to George Washington (1854-1942) and Carolina Cynthia (Martin) Wiley (1866-1936). Russell was the youngest boy of 10 children, his younger sister Ruth dying as a child.

Russell Wiley went to Hardin-Simmons University in Texas where his brother was serving as band director. Wiley also studied at Randolph College, Drake University, the American Conservatory in Chicago, and at Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma. He received free tuition at Phillips in exchange for building a band, also starting the Tri-State Music Festival.

In 1934 Wiley came to the University of Kansas, taking over from Joseph C. McCanles as band director. In 1936 he founded the Midwestern Music Camp, a summer music program for students from grades 6 through 12 taught by KU faculty and guest musicians. In 1939 he started Band Day, a halftime show at a KU football game each fall showcasing hundreds of high school band students. Both these events continue to be KU traditions into the 21st century. Wiley also served as conductor for the University Symphony Orchestra from 1942-1957.

Wiley received a variety of honors and awards, including Band Director of the Year and joining the Kansas Music Educators Association Hall of Fame for Outstanding Musicians.

In 1968 Wiley retired as band director in order to devote more time to the Midwestern Music Camp, from which he also retired in 1974.

Wiley married Velma Ruth Walters (1906-1999) in 1931, with whom he had five children: Velma Lee, Daniel Edwin, Frederick Russell, Anna Carolyn, and Jeannie Marie. They divorced in 1955, and in 1957 Wiley remarried to Charmaine Craft Asher (1929-1994). Russell L. Wiley died on November 6, 1991.

[Information retrieved in part from Wiley's family.]